Kim Nam-kuk to Yong Hye-in: "You kept rebutting point by point... It is difficult to defend you"

[Financial News] Kim Nam-kuk, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the way Yong Hye-in, nominee for minister of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, explained the allegations surrounding her. He said she should have paid greater attention to public sentiment and the public’s expectations at her press conference.

Kim Nam-kuk appeared on MBC’s “News Out” on September 11 and assessed Yong’s press conference held the previous day. He said, "I wonder whether her appearance of rebutting each point one by one, as if she were fighting with the public, would really be viewed favorably by the public at this point. I think it was inappropriate."
Kim Nam-kuk said the controversy surrounding Yong was different in nature from an issue involving a violation of the law. He said, "Shouldn’t she have tried a little harder to align herself with public sentiment and the public’s expectations?" He added, "The criticism Yong is facing now is not about expedient, evasive or illegal conduct, as previous ministerial nominees have faced. It is an issue of the public’s feelings and sentiment."
He also said Yong needed to adopt a more humble attitude in explaining herself. Kim Nam-kuk said, "Even if the nominee has things to explain, shouldn’t she show a more humble attitude before the public and at the public’s level, rather than appearing to fight or argue?"
At a press conference the previous day at the National Assembly Communication Center, Yong rebutted the allegations surrounding her for about 34 minutes. She also said she would not accept calls to step down as a proportional-representation lawmaker or withdraw as a nominee for minister of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.
Kim Nam-kuk also said the Democratic Party of Korea was in a situation where it would be difficult to actively defend Yong. He said the party’s room to respond was limited given public opinion. Kim Nam-kuk said, "The nominee may hope that the Democratic Party of Korea will actively defend her, but the difficult situation in which it is not easy to defend her given the current public-opinion landscape has been revealed," adding, "There is also an aspect of the situation that makes it difficult for the Democratic Party of Korea itself to step forward and actively defend her."
He also addressed the issue of Yong’s party affiliation. Regarding the fact that Yong belongs to the Basic Income Party, Kim Nam-kuk called her "a lawmaker belonging to an opposition party, in any case." He continued, "Defending one’s own party affiliation through the Basic Income Party is a way of respecting the Basic Income Party."
Regarding Cheong Wa Dae’s statement that it would “watch the confirmation hearing” before deciding whether to appoint Yong, he said it should not be viewed as a signal that the appointment would be forced through.
Kim Nam-kuk cited remarks made the previous day by Hong Ik-pyo, Cheong Wa Dae’s senior secretary for political affairs, on YTN (Yonhap Television News) radio. Hong said of the issue involving Yong, "We are looking at it rather sensitively." Kim Nam-kuk said, "Given this message, wouldn’t it be more appropriate to interpret it as a political message indicating that, rather than forcing through the appointment, Cheong Wa Dae is seriously considering accepting the public’s wishes, whether at the confirmation hearing or even before it?" He added, "It would be a mistaken interpretation to say that Cheong Wa Dae is forcing through the appointment."

Meanwhile, Cheong Wa Dae said regarding the controversy surrounding Yong that she should be given an opportunity to explain herself. Cheong Wa Dae said, "It is Cheong Wa Dae’s position that she should be given an opportunity to explain herself to the public."
Kang Yoo-jung, Cheong Wa Dae’s senior spokesperson, also said at a briefing that Yong needed an opportunity to explain herself through the confirmation hearing. Kang said, "Those nominated as ministers should have an opportunity through the confirmation hearing to state their positions on their suitability for the duties and on the various allegations. It is right to provide them with an opportunity to explain themselves to the public."

[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter