Presidential official says decision on controversial minister nominees to come after confirmation hearings
Quick Look
A South Korean presidential official stated that decisions on appointing controversial nominees for justice and gender equality minister will be made after their confirmation hearings, addressing allegations of illegal lobbying and refusal to relinquish parliamentary seats.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
President Lee Jae Myung recently conducted a Cabinet reshuffle, nominating Kim Seung-won for Justice Minister and Yong Hye-in for Gender Equality Minister, both of whom have faced public criticism over separate controversies.
SEOUL, Sept. 10 (Yonhap) -- A presidential official said Thursday that a decision on whether to go ahead with the appointments of the controversial nominees for justice and gender equality minister will be made after their confirmation hearings.
Seong Ghi-hong, senior presidential secretary for public relations and communication, made the remark during an interview on MBC radio, referring to Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won and Gender Equality Minister nominee Yong Hye-in.
Kim and Yong were tapped by President Lee Jae Myung as part of a broader Cabinet reshuffle late last month. Since then, Kim has come under fire over allegations that he illegally lobbied the food and drug safety ministry in 2021 to win approval for a COVID-19 treatment. Yong has separately drawn flak for refusing to give up her proportional representation seat in the National Assembly following her ministerial appointment.
"We plan to make a decision from the people's standpoint after they have gone through the confirmation process," Seong said. "I think we have to listen to what the nominees have to say within the formal question-and-answer process."
On Kim's lobbying allegations, Seong said it was unlikely the presidential office failed to note the issue in the vetting process as the nominee, a two-term lawmaker, had been subject to a prosecution investigation and received a non-indictment decision.
On Yong's refusal to give up her parliamentary seat, he said it was a question to be answered by the nominee herself during the confirmation hearing.
Seong also reiterated the government's position that no final decision has been made on the United States' reported request for South Korea to deploy troops to the Strait of Hormuz.
"There are various options when it comes to ways to contribute responsibly to the normalization of the Strait of Hormuz, but no final decision has been made yet on the detailed method," he said, adding the options could include technical assistance, in addition to troop deployment.
What to Watch
AI outlook โ possibilities, not facts
The presidential office will approve both ministerial appointments following the confirmation hearings.
Possible ยท Within weeks
South Korea will opt for non-military contributions, such as technical assistance, to support normalization in the Strait of Hormuz.
Possible ยท Within months
Open Questions
- What specific evidence exists regarding Kim Seung-won's alleged illegal lobbying in 2021?
- Will Yong Hye-in choose to relinquish her National Assembly seat if appointed?
- What form of contribution to Strait of Hormuz normalization is South Korea most likely to pursue?
