Jihyun Park: "Johoyoung Different from the Case of Jokook... Much More Serious Level"

by Heo Midam

Published 19 Apr.2022 16:20(KST)

Park Ji-hyun urges Yoon to "apply the same standards as during Cho Kuk"

Park Ji-hyun, Co-Chair of the Emergency Response Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 18th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Park Jihyun, Co-Chair of the Emergency Response Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, directly criticized Jang Jaewon, Chief Secretary to the President-elect, who defended Jeong Hoyoung, the nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare, on the 19th, saying, "Nominee Jeong's case is different from that of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk. (Nominee Jeong's case) is at a much more serious level."

On the same day, Park appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jongbae's Focus' and responded to Jang's outburst the previous day regarding suspicions about nominee Jeong, who said, "What is similar to the Cho Kuk issue?" by stating, "Is it acceptable for this person (Chief Secretary Jang) to be this shameless?" She added, "It is hard to understand such a counter-question in the midst of these suspicions."

Park also pointed out, "Seeing others struggle to get into places that are barely accessible even after hard studying, while fathers and their friends easily solve these issues, inevitably causes a great sense of deprivation among young people."

She continued, "There is also concern that fairness will disappear during the next five years of the Yoon Seokyeol administration and that such incidents will continue to occur," and argued, "(President-elect Yoon) should apply the same standards, just like in the case of former Minister Cho."

Health and Welfare Minister nominee Jeong Ho-young is seen arriving at the office set up at the Seoul Northern Regional Headquarters of the National Pension Service in Seodaemun-gu on the morning of the 19th, expressing his position.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the morning of the 18th, Chief Secretary Jang met with reporters on his way to work in front of his home and said, "They keep talking about Cho Kuk, but if there is really anything similar between the Cho Kuk issue and this, let them talk about it. Did they fabricate or forge anything?"

Jang claimed, "Looking at it now, everything the reporters are saying is a frame," and added, "What is the fact of wrongdoing? At least regarding the admissions and military service issues, if any facts have been revealed, let them talk about it."

Meanwhile, nominee Jeong has been under suspicion of using so-called 'dad's chance' after his daughter and son consecutively transferred to the College of Medicine at Kyungpook National University starting in 2017, when he was serving as vice director and director of Kyungpook National University Hospital.

In response, nominee Jeong held a press conference on the 17th, stating, "For objective verification, I request that the Ministry of Education conduct a thorough and swift investigation into all areas related to my children's transfer admissions," and added, "If any problems are found during the investigation, appropriate measures will be taken."