The confirmation hearing for Kim Seung-won, nominee for Minister of Justice, descended into chaos on September 15 during a session of the National Assembly's Legislative and Judiciary Committee. The proceedings were marred by harsh language and shouting, with committee chair Seo Young-kyo attempting to restore order multiple times as tensions flared between the ruling and opposition parties.
Before formal questioning began, lawmakers clashed. Democratic Party member Kim Nam-hee criticized Joo Jin-woo of the People Power Party for using hate speech during a press conference held by parents of children with developmental disabilities, which he claimed misrepresented the organization as illegal. He urged the committee chair to request an apology from Joo for his remarks.
In response, Joo countered, "Forty percent of the funds meant for children with developmental disabilities went to the nominee's family, so what is there to say?" He accused Kim's spouse of receiving preferential treatment from officials at Suwon City Hall during the review process, questioning whether other organizations' children should suffer as a result.
As the exchanges escalated, the hearing quickly spiraled out of control. Kim Dong-ah of the Democratic Party called Joo a "devil," to which Joo shouted back, "What did you say?" When Kim reiterated the accusation, Joo responded, "It's the families who are siphoning off the support funds that are the real devils." Members of the People Power Party demanded that Seo apologize for allowing such language to go unchallenged, questioning the appropriateness of the proceedings.
Democratic Party member Park Kyun-taek also told Kim Tae-kyu of the People Power Party to "remove that hideous face," prompting a heated reaction from Kim. Seo warned that if the disruptions continued, he would have to suspend speaking rights in accordance with parliamentary rules. The People Power Party members criticized Seo's handling of the hearing, arguing that he should not remain silent while insults were exchanged.
The verbal sparring continued outside the hearing room. Democratic Party spokesperson Shin Hyun-young lamented, "The confirmation hearing is being trivialized into a farce filled with fiction and speculation. It is frustrating to see the public subjected to such a melodrama." Meanwhile, Park Chung-kwon, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, described the event as a "low-quality melodrama of arrogance and obstinacy, not a venue for public verification," questioning whether this reflected the Democratic Party's commitment to thorough scrutiny.
During the hearing, Kim Seung-won stated, "As the committee's secretary, I led the amendment of the Criminal Procedure Act. If given the opportunity to serve as minister, I will complete the reforms established through legislation in the field." He pledged to prepare the organization, personnel, and budget of the prosecution office meticulously and to reflect the intent of separating investigation and prosecution in its structure and operations. He also promised to protect citizens from crime and assist victims in restoring their daily lives, emphasizing the need to support vulnerable groups and promote social integration.
Before formal questioning began, lawmakers clashed. Democratic Party member Kim Nam-hee criticized Joo Jin-woo of the People Power Party for using hate speech during a press conference held by parents of children with developmental disabilities, which he claimed misrepresented the organization as illegal. He urged the committee chair to request an apology from Joo for his remarks.
In response, Joo countered, "Forty percent of the funds meant for children with developmental disabilities went to the nominee's family, so what is there to say?" He accused Kim's spouse of receiving preferential treatment from officials at Suwon City Hall during the review process, questioning whether other organizations' children should suffer as a result.
As the exchanges escalated, the hearing quickly spiraled out of control. Kim Dong-ah of the Democratic Party called Joo a "devil," to which Joo shouted back, "What did you say?" When Kim reiterated the accusation, Joo responded, "It's the families who are siphoning off the support funds that are the real devils." Members of the People Power Party demanded that Seo apologize for allowing such language to go unchallenged, questioning the appropriateness of the proceedings.
Democratic Party member Park Kyun-taek also told Kim Tae-kyu of the People Power Party to "remove that hideous face," prompting a heated reaction from Kim. Seo warned that if the disruptions continued, he would have to suspend speaking rights in accordance with parliamentary rules. The People Power Party members criticized Seo's handling of the hearing, arguing that he should not remain silent while insults were exchanged.
The verbal sparring continued outside the hearing room. Democratic Party spokesperson Shin Hyun-young lamented, "The confirmation hearing is being trivialized into a farce filled with fiction and speculation. It is frustrating to see the public subjected to such a melodrama." Meanwhile, Park Chung-kwon, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, described the event as a "low-quality melodrama of arrogance and obstinacy, not a venue for public verification," questioning whether this reflected the Democratic Party's commitment to thorough scrutiny.
During the hearing, Kim Seung-won stated, "As the committee's secretary, I led the amendment of the Criminal Procedure Act. If given the opportunity to serve as minister, I will complete the reforms established through legislation in the field." He pledged to prepare the organization, personnel, and budget of the prosecution office meticulously and to reflect the intent of separating investigation and prosecution in its structure and operations. He also promised to protect citizens from crime and assist victims in restoring their daily lives, emphasizing the need to support vulnerable groups and promote social integration.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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