Yong Hye-in's Resignation and Kim Seung-won Controversy... 'Personnel Battle' Continues Until the Last Day of Interpellation

[Financial News] As the ruling and opposition parties concluded their four-day interpellation of the government on the 14th with the education, social, and cultural sectors, they continued their heated exchange over personnel issues until the very last day. The People Power Party focused its questioning on the government's failure in personnel vetting, using the resignation of Yong Hye-in, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, as leverage. They also pressured Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, to resign by taking issue with his response regarding the "review of dissolving the People Power Party as an unconstitutional party." Prime Minister Han Seong-sook stated that she "takes the recent decline in approval ratings with grave concern."
During the interpellation session with the government on this day, the People Power Party questioned the government's responsibility for personnel vetting regarding the resignation of nominee Yong. When People Power Party lawmaker Seo Beom-su asked Prime Minister Han if she intended to apologize as the recommending authority, Prime Minister Han replied, "(The resignation) is her own decision," but added, "Once the final stage is completed, if there were any problematic aspects regarding the recommendation, I will address them."
The government's sense of crisis regarding the recent decline in approval ratings was also revealed. In response to Representative Seo's criticism regarding the controversy surrounding the second cabinet reshuffle—that the government was not listening to the voice of the people—Prime Minister Han stated, "We are clearly listening to the voice of the people through the approval ratings." She added, "I take this matter very seriously and with great gravity," and continued, "I am seriously considering how much more I can do and how I must do my utmost as Prime Minister."
Candidate Kim's written response regarding the dissolution of the People Power Party as an unconstitutional party has also emerged as a new point of contention. In response to a question from Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Yong-min regarding plans to request the dissolution of the People Power Party, Candidate Kim replied, "Upon taking office, I will closely examine the intent of the Constitutional Court of Korea's decision and the progress of related cases to review whether the requirements are met."
The People Power Party immediately pressured Candidate Kim to resign. People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun argued, "Are they trying to shoulder the responsibility of handling the Democratic Party of Korea's political agenda, from withdrawing the indictment to dissolving the main opposition party?" He added, "It has now become clear why the Democratic Party of Korea came up with 'Kim-saeng-yong-sa' (saving Kim while bringing down Yong)." 'Kim-saeng-yong-sa' means that Candidate Kim was saved while Candidate Yong was forced to drop out.
People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won also criticized the move, stating, "Another reason for Candidate Kim's resignation has been added," and adding, "I thought they were only erasing the President's criminal liability through the withdrawal of the indictment, but by reviewing the requirements for dissolving an unconstitutional party, it appears to be an attempt to erase the very existence of the opposition party."
The government stated its intention to expedite the appointments of the Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency and the Prosecutor General, positions that have been vacant for a long time. Prime Minister Han said, "A suitable person will be appointed in accordance with the reform of the criminal justice system," adding, "I think the process will move forward quickly now."
Although the four-day interpellation of the government concluded today, the standoff between the ruling and opposition parties over personnel appointments is expected to immediately lead into the confirmation hearing phase. With confirmation hearings for ministerial nominees scheduled consecutively on the 15th and 16th, starting with Supreme Court Justice nominee Kim Seong-su today, the dispute over the nominees' qualifications and the government's responsibility for personnel vetting is expected to intensify.

[email protected] Song Ji-won Reporter