People Power Party Slams 'Out-of-Touch, President-Focused' Cabinet Reshuffle... Prime Minister: "Explanations Will Be Given at Hearings"

Na Kyungwon asks, "Did you review the vetting report before making nominations?"

Yoon Jaeok says, "A reshuffle reflecting only the President's personal will... New candidates needed"

Prime Minister Han: "I judged them as qualified experts...

On September 9, the People Power Party focused its questioning during the government policy session in the National Assembly on Han Seong-sook, the Prime Minister, holding her accountable for nominating Kim Seung-won as Minister of Justice and Yong Hye-in as Minister of Gender Equality and Family, both of whom are facing a range of allegations. Prime Minister Han maintained her position, stating that the nominations were based on the candidates' expertise and that the allegations raised should be reviewed in the National Assembly's confirmation hearings.

Na Kyung-won, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, questioned Prime Minister Han during the government policy session on political affairs, asking, "When and how did you nominate Kim Seung-won and Yong Hye-in?" and "Did you review the personnel verification report?" She further pressed, "What decision did you make, and to whom did you submit the nominations?" while inquiring whether the Prime Minister exercised her nomination authority in a substantive manner.

Prime Minister Han replied, "I discussed the details with personnel officials at the Blue House and determined that they were competent candidates, so I nominated them." However, when asked if she had personally reviewed the personnel verification report and about the specifics of the nomination process, she avoided giving a clear answer, stating, "It's difficult for me to discuss personnel-related details."

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook attended the government policy question session in the National Assembly plenary hall on the 9th and responded to questions from Na Kyung-won, a lawmaker of the People Power Party. 2026.09.09 Photo by Dongju Yoon

Assemblywoman Na also raised the issue of whether it was fair for candidate Yong to retain her parliamentary seat while serving as a minister, asking, "Do you consider it fair for her not to step down as a lawmaker while taking the ministerial post?" Regarding candidate Kim, Na discussed suspicions of lobbying involving a pharmaceutical company and Kim's past decision to suspend indictment, saying, "If you read the statement of reasons for non-indictment, as well as the indictment and judgment for the relevant case, you would not recommend him lightly."

People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Jae-ok also criticized the cabinet reshuffle, saying, "From the perspective of fairness, this reshuffle is worse than doing nothing at all." He added, "The public is left wondering whether there was any vetting at all or whether the administration simply turned a blind eye. There is increasing concern that personnel appointments are based on personal connections with the President, not on ability or qualifications."

Assemblyman Yoon referred to candidate Yong as an "icon of unfairness" and to candidate Kim as "not a subject for confirmation, but for reinvestigation." He continued, "This reshuffle is out of touch with public sentiment, serving only the President's wishes—a so-called 'loyalty reshuffle.' Even now, I urge the President to reconsider, withdraw these nominations, and recommend new candidates."

Prime Minister Han responded by saying, "I do not believe these nominations were based on personal relationships. I consider both candidates to be experts in their respective fields." She further drew a line regarding demands to withdraw the nominations, stating, "At this stage, these are only allegations. The candidates will explain themselves during the confirmation hearings, and the public will observe the vetting process before any further procedures are carried out."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.