Inauguration of the First Cabinet Hearing of the Lee Jae-myung Government... Clashes Between Ruling and Opposition Parties

[Financial News] As the confirmation hearings for the first cabinet minister nominees of the Lee Jae-myung government officially began on the 14th, clashes between the ruling and opposition parties continued in various places. As the power struggle between the ruling and opposition parties remained tense, some hearing venues declared adjournments or recesses, leading to ongoing disruptions. 
The National Assembly conducted hearings for minister nominees from four ministries: the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Unification. However, disruptions continued from the beginning at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and the Ministry of Science and ICT.
Typically, confirmation hearings begin with the chairman declaring the opening, followed by the nominee taking an oath and giving an opening statement, after which the committee members begin their questions. However, before Kang Seon-woo, the Minister of Gender Equality and Family nominee, could take the oath, People Power Party members attached phrases like 'Tyrant Kang Seon-woo OUT,' which Democratic Party members took issue with, applying for a procedural statement, preventing the hearing from properly starting.
Democratic Party secretary Kim Han-kyu came forward to the chairman's seat and protested, "Please conduct the proceedings fairly. Allow us to make procedural statements," and People Power Party secretary Jo Eun-hee also protested, requesting the hearing to proceed, leading to the hearing being adjourned just 13 minutes after it began.
The ruling and opposition parties argued over placards for about 30 minutes before both sides removed them under the chairman's mediation, allowing the hearing to barely start. The People Power Party focused on the 'staff abuse controversy' surrounding candidate Kang from the beginning. Candidate Kang expressed regret over the controversies surrounding him, saying, "I am sorry for the controversies caused by me," and "I sincerely apologize to the staff who may have been hurt in the controversy."
Regarding allegations that he instructed his office staff to dispose of trash from his home, candidate Kang explained, "There were times I took leftovers from the night before to eat for breakfast in the car," and "I think it was my fault to leave it in the car without finishing it."
He further lowered his stance, saying, "As I mentioned earlier, all the emotional wounds caused by this controversy are due to my lack of virtue. I sincerely apologize once again."
The conflict continued with the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee following the Gender Equality and Family Committee. The proceedings were halted just about 5 minutes after the ruling and opposition members took their seats, causing significant chaos. People Power Party members of the committee attached signs to their laptops reading 'Choi Min-hee Dictatorship OUT, Lee Jae-myung Cooperate,' leading to loud arguments among the members, and Chairperson Choi Min-hee immediately declared adjournment. Although the adjournment was invalid as it was declared before the opening, the hearing was temporarily halted, causing further disruption.
On this day, the opposition party strongly protested, claiming that the candidates were not submitting a significant amount of the requested materials or were omitting key evidence. Song Eon-seok, acting chairman and floor leader, criticized at the emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly, "They are employing a 'bed soccer' tactic, creating a hollow hearing without material submissions or witness adoptions, just trying to endure the day."

cjk@fnnews.com Choi Jong-geun Reporter