Kim Min-seok Ahead of Confirmation Hearing… Park Ji-won: "A Four-Term Lawmaker Reporting 200 Million Won? Relatively Clean"
Starting today (24th), a two-day confirmation hearing for Kim Min-seok, the Prime Minister candidate, is taking place, and Park Ji-won, a member of the Democratic Party, defended Kim by stating, "If a four-term lawmaker reports assets of 200 million won, I believe he has lived relatively cleanly."
On the 23rd, during a segment on Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS) 'Kim Tae-seob's Morning Journal', Park remarked on the ongoing attacks from the People Power Party regarding Kim, saying, "Having conducted many confirmation hearings in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the attacks on candidates from both parties can sometimes be quite severe."
He emphasized, "Kim has had a tumultuous life and political career since being appointed as a member of the National Assembly at the age of 32 by President Kim Dae-jung. Yet, at 61, if he reports assets of 200 million won as a Prime Minister candidate and four-term lawmaker, I think he has still lived relatively cleanly."
Park further stated, "As President Lee Jae-myung mentioned yesterday, regarding the allegations raised by the opposition, I believe Kim can sufficiently clarify those points," adding, "The public will be convinced by the results of the hearing on the 24th and 25th."
People Power Party Strongly Criticizes "Verification Impossible"… Democratic Party on Defensive
On this day, the People Power Party launched a full-scale attack on the allegations surrounding Kim's asset formation and the preferential treatment controversy involving his son. They emphasized that the hearing was effectively in a state of "verification impossibility" due to the Democratic Party's refusal to select witnesses and the insufficient materials submitted by Kim's camp, and they are strongly demanding his voluntary resignation or withdrawal of nomination.
In response, the Democratic Party plans to proceed with the hearing as scheduled for two days and finalize the confirmation process in the National Assembly next week.
Regarding the attacks from the People Power Party, they responded with terms like "excessive political offensive" and "obstruction of government operations," maintaining that Kim will be able to provide specific clarifications during the hearing.
Prime Minister Confirmation Possible by Vote… Key is Public Opinion
According to the Constitution, a Prime Minister cannot be appointed without the consent of the National Assembly, unlike ministers. However, given the current distribution of seats among the ruling coalition, including the Democratic Party, even if the People Power Party opposes, confirmation through a National Assembly vote is likely.
Ultimately, the key to this hearing is public opinion. Whether Kim can break through the opposition's attacks and garner public understanding will likely be a turning point in the confirmation process.
Image Source: Park Ji-won / News1, Kim Min-seok Prime Minister Candidate / News1
