Ahead of the confirmation hearing for Prime Minister nominee Kim Min-seok scheduled for the 24th to 25th, the feud between the ruling and opposition parties has reached its peak.
The People Power Party strongly urged the withdrawal of the nomination for Kim, saying he is “not a subject of the confirmation hearing, but of investigation,” while the Democratic Party of Korea dismissed the opposition's various allegations as “blind political offensives” and rallied in his defense.
On the 18th, Kim Yong-tae, chair of the People Power Party’s emergency response committee, criticized the moral controversies regarding illegal political funds, financial transactions, and asset accumulation, stating that “Kim is not a subject of the confirmation hearing, but of investigation.”
The People Power Party claimed that it has emerged through court documents and email materials that Kim had received 200 million won in political funds in the past. It also pointed out that he received 160 million won under the pretext of living expenses between 2007 and 2008.
Spokesperson Ham In-gyeong noted, “The material submission for Kim’s confirmation hearing is insufficient,” demanding that he faithfully clarify the issues without evading verification. Legislator Jeong Seong-guk criticized, saying, “I requested 94 pieces of material related to the allegations, but only 7 have been responded to so far,” referring to this as “essentially evasion from answering during the hearing.”
The Democratic Party of Korea defined the People Power Party's offensive as “blind political offensives.” Senior member Kim Byeong-joo strongly countered, stating, “They are trampling on the candidate’s honor by inflating baseless allegations. It is despicable and petty.”
The Democratic Party emphasized that regarding Kim's financial transaction allegations, they clearly clarified that it was “private debt to resolve tax pressures and additional taxes.” They also claimed that pressing for the candidate's resignation without going through a confirmation hearing is an act of obstructing national affairs.
The Democratic Party instead retaliated by asserting that the wealth formation processes of opposition members, including People Power Party member Joo Jin-woo, are also subjects of scrutiny, stating, “Before blaming others, clarify your own wealth formation process transparently.”
Senior member Han Jun-ho and others criticized the opposition for suggesting that the nominee's spouse be summoned as a witness, saying it “has crossed moral boundaries” and condemned the excessive offensives of the People Power Party.