Confirmation of Kim Min-seok as Prime Minister Candidate Passed by National Assembly's Plenary Session

The appointment agreement for Prime Minister candidate Kim Min-seok was passed in the National Assembly's plenary session led by the ruling party, with members of the People Power Party absent.

On the 3rd, the National Assembly held a plenary session and passed the appointment agreement with 173 votes in favor, 3 against, and 3 invalid votes from a total of 179 attending members.

Kim is expected to assume the position of Prime Minister once President Yoon completes the appointment process.

On that day, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik explained the reason for presenting Kim's appointment agreement to the plenary session, stating, "Except for a single instance since democratization, the first Prime Minister of a new government has never failed to begin their term within a month of taking office." He continued, "We must now normalize the situation that has been unavoidably continued due to the state of emergency."

That day, the People Power Party did not enter the plenary chamber and staged a picket protest opposing Kim's appointment in the nearby Rotunda Hall.

Ultimately, the People Power Party boycotted the plenary session… The appointment agreement was passed under the leadership of the Democratic Party.

Earlier, President Yoon nominated Kim as Prime Minister on the day of his inauguration, September 4.

Today (3rd), about a month later, Kim's appointment agreement has been passed.

The confirmation hearing for Kim held at the National Assembly took place over two days, from September 24 to 25. However, the proceedings became chaotic on the final day when the People Power Party pointed out the inadequate submission of Kim's documents.

The People Power Party has consistently defined Kim as an unqualified candidate due to allegations regarding his assets, academic degrees, and preferential treatment for his children's college admissions, demanding his voluntary resignation and withdrawal of nomination.

In response, the Democratic Party has urged cooperation for the confirmation, asserting that all allegations against Kim were resolved during the confirmation hearing.

Kim, who ultimately became the first Prime Minister under the Lee Jae-myung administration, is a four-term lawmaker from the Democratic Party and is cited as a close aide to President Yoon.

Additionally, Kim served as the Senior Chief Member supporting President Yoon during his tenure as the representative of the Democratic Party.

Image source: Kim Min-seok Prime Minister candidate / News1, On the 3rd, members of the People Power Party, including Song Eon-seok, chair of the emergency response committee and floor leader, raise placards and shout slogans in condemnation after boycotting the vote on Kim Min-seok's appointment agreement at the National Assembly's Rotunda Hall in Yeouido, Seoul. / News1, On the 3rd, Kim Min-seok Prime Minister candidate shakes hands with fellow lawmakers queued to cast their votes in a secret ballot for his appointment agreement during the 426th National Assembly (extraordinary session) plenary session held in Yeouido, Seoul. / News1, On the 3rd, Kim Min-seok Prime Minister candidate is seen casting his vote in a secret ballot for the Prime Minister appointment agreement during the plenary session of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. / News1