On the 15th, the People Power Party increased its attacks on Prime Minister nominee Kim Min-seok, urging him to resign. As various suspicions arose, including allegations of financial transactions with individuals involved in illegal political funds, issues concerning the overseas education of his children, and allegations of obtaining degrees through improper means, this was leveraged to escalate the intensity of their lending struggle.
People Power Party Spokesperson Kim Dong-won issued a statement that day, saying, "There are rumors linking the newly formed Lee Jae-myung administration to an 'era of criminals.'" He noted, "If you truly wish for the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration, I advise you to reflect on what you need to do personally."
The spokesperson criticized Kim for swiftly repaying money borrowed from an individual identified as an illegal political fund provider immediately after his nomination, stating, "This is an acknowledgment that he himself admitted to an unseemly money transaction."
He also remarked, "How does someone who reportedly took loans to repay fines and restitution think about sending their son to a private university in the United States, which costs over 100 million won a year? It's hard to resonate with that from a common sense perspective."
Influential figures within the party also joined in. Representative Na Kyung-won pointed out, "Outwardly positioning as a leading figure against U.S. imperialism and treating criminal records like medals, the reality is that he studied in the United States while sending his children abroad for education."
Representative Kim Ki-hyun also raised concerns over the process by which Kim obtained his master's degree from Tsinghua University in China. He stated, "To obtain a master's degree from Tsinghua University, one must complete at least 25 course credits and 10 courses, and it seems he managed to do so while serving as a top member of the Democratic Party and running for the mayoral election in Busan, suggesting he possesses transcendent abilities in time and space." He added, "Kim has been unable to properly clarify the circumstances surrounding the acquisition of his master's degree from Tsinghua University, the alma mater of Xi Jinping, amidst the allegations raised."
He criticized, "If there is even a minimal sense of conscience left, he should resign from the candidacy and step down from his position as a member of the National Assembly as soon as possible."
Baek Jun-young, the opposition party secretary of the personnel confirmation special committee for the nominee, said, "There are too many matters that the prime minister nominee needs to disclose," adding, "The two-day schedule typical for the confirmation hearing will likely be insufficient." He also hinted at the possibility of discussing an additional schedule for the hearing.
Representative Joo Jin-woo of the same committee disclosed a loan agreement drawn up by Kim, saying, "This is a person surnamed 'Lee' in his 70s who works in Jeongeup," and added, "It’s not a relationship that would lend 10 million won without collateral for seven years. We need to clarify whether the funding reservoir is not 'Kang Shin-seong.'"
Meanwhile, both ruling and opposition parties plan to hold the first committee secretary meeting for the nominee on the 17th to discuss schedule adjustments and witness selections.