Ruling and Opposition Clash Over Confirmation Reports... Plenary Session to Handle Follow-up Legislation on Prosecution Reform

Confirmation Report for Deputy Prime Minister Nominee Lee Hyungil Adopted

The Planning and Finance Committee of the National Assembly held a full meeting on the 17th and unanimously adopted the confirmation hearing report for Lee Hyungil, the nominee for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Finance. However, in other standing committees, there continues to be confrontation over the adoption of confirmation hearing reports.

The key issue is whether the Democratic Party of Korea will push ahead with unilaterally adopting the report for Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice. While the opposition has already deemed him "unqualified," the ruling party maintains there are "no grounds for disqualification" and is pushing forward. On the same day, the Democratic Party is holding full meetings of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee as well as the National Defense Committee to discuss how to handle the confirmation hearing reports for both Kim Seung-won and Kang Shinchul, the nominee for Minister of National Defense.

In response, the People Power Party canceled full meetings of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee and the Industry, Trade, Resources, and SMEs Committee, both of which have chairs from their party. These committees had planned to discuss the adoption of confirmation hearing reports for Hong Jisun, nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Lee Soyoung, nominee for Minister of SMEs and Startups.

At the full meeting of the Planning and Finance Committee held at the National Assembly on the 17th, ruling and opposition party finance committee members adopted the confirmation hearing report for Lee Hyungil, the nominee for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Finance. Photo by Yonhap News

Han Byung-do, floor leader of the Democratic Party, stated during the policy coordination meeting that "verifying nominees through hearings, debating in the National Assembly, and taking political responsibility based on the outcomes form the foundation of parliamentary politics." Addressing the People Power Party's response to the hearings, he added, "The main opposition party should not respond by turning its back on the National Assembly and searching for answers on the streets simply because it does not like the outcome."

On the other hand, Jeong Jeom-sik, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated at the Supreme Council meeting, "Even if one tried to compile only disqualified nominees, it would be impossible to produce such a problematic lineup," and added, "arrogant power will inevitably face judgment."

Later in the afternoon, a plenary session will be held to legislate follow-up measures to the criminal justice system reform and to approve the appointment of Supreme Court Justice nominee Kim Seongsu. Ruling and opposition parties have followed procedures to amend related laws due to the abolition of the prosecution service, establishment of the Public Prosecution Office and the Serious Crimes Investigation Office, and revisions to the Code of Criminal Procedure. Jeon Eun-su, Democratic Party spokesperson, said, "About 51 bills are anticipated as a result of the criminal justice system reform, and the parties have reached an agreement," adding, "Further discussions between the parties are ongoing concerning standing committee-related bills."

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