'Closed-Door Review of Private Lives'... Steering Committee Refers Personnel Hearing Act Amendment to Subcommittee

Amendment to the Act on Testimony and Appraisal
Includes CIO Investigations for Non-Appearance During Parliamentary Probes

On September 22, the National Assembly Steering Committee referred several bills, including the amendment to the Personnel Hearing Act-which centers on conducting closed-door reviews of the private lives of public official nominees during confirmation hearings-to the Subcommittee on Parliamentary Operations Improvement.

That afternoon, the Steering Committee held a plenary meeting and referred the amendment to the Personnel Hearing Act, the amendment to the Act on Testimony and Appraisal before the National Assembly, and other related bills to the Subcommittee on Parliamentary Operations Improvement.

The amendment to the Personnel Hearing Act, sponsored by Democratic Party Floor Leader and Steering Committee Chairman Kim Byunggi, proposes the establishment of a Personnel Hearing Subcommittee and allows for the closed-door review of sensitive information, such as the private lives of public official nominees, prior to the confirmation hearing.

Additionally, the amendment stipulates that only the relevant members of the Personnel Hearing Committee may access materials related to the private lives of public official nominees, and it prohibits the external disclosure of such information.

Previously, the Democratic Party had announced plans to amend the relevant law, arguing that hearings on the morality of nominees should be held behind closed doors. This announcement came immediately after the change of administration, during the confirmation hearings for the first cabinet of the Lee Jaemyung government.

On the 22nd, at the plenary meeting of the Steering Committee held at the National Assembly, Chairman Kim Byunggi is striking the gavel. 2025.9.22 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The amendment to the Act on Testimony and Appraisal before the National Assembly, sponsored by Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Yonggi, was also referred to the subcommittee. The amendment would allow the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to investigate cases where individuals fail to appear or commit perjury during parliamentary investigations, and it would extend the investigation period to a maximum of four months.

Another amendment to the same law, sponsored by Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Hyunhee, establishes a legal basis for the National Assembly plenary session to file complaints in cases where the relevant committee has been dissolved or the subject of the complaint is unclear after the committee's term has ended.

Meanwhile, the Steering Committee also referred to the subcommittee several amendments to the National Assembly Act. These amendments include provisions to conduct the 2025 regular session audit, institutionalize the Special Committee on Ethics, legislate the Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment, and hold confirmation hearings for cabinet ministers who remain in office.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.