The Democratic Party unilaterally processed the confirmation report for Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, on September 17, leading to a significant cooling of political relations. On the same day, the People Power Party (PPP) canceled scheduled meetings of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee and the Industry, Trade, and Energy Committee.
Members of the Legislative and Judiciary Committee from the PPP walked out in protest against the unilateral introduction of the confirmation report and held a press conference condemning the Democratic Party's actions. PPP member Park Hyung-soo stated, "The confirmation report was pushed through without prior consultation," and questioned, "Are you declaring war on the public to cancel the prosecution of President Lee Jae-myung's trial?"
Park further criticized the hearing, calling it a "bulletproof hearing" as no key witnesses or references were selected, thus severely limiting the verification of the nominee. He argued that adopting the report based solely on the nominee's explanations and the Democratic Party's support amounted to issuing a "get-out-of-jail-free card."
PPP leader Jang Dong-hyuk also criticized the ruling party on Facebook, stating, "This is not a ruling party but a 'Blue House branch office,'" suggesting that they are disregarding public opinion if it means eliminating the trial. He accused them of having made a decision to "part ways with the public."
Despite the PPP's walkout, the Democratic Party proceeded with the adoption of the confirmation report. Democratic Party member Kim Ui-gyeom remarked, "The differences between the PPP and the Democratic Party are so significant that reaching a compromise is challenging," adding, "I believe the public will understand this situation." Kim Gi-pyo, another Democratic Party member, noted, "Even when trying to reach an agreement, the PPP shows no willingness to cooperate," emphasizing the need to minimize the vacancy for the Minister of Justice.
The Democratic Party also exchanged opinions regarding the content of the confirmation report, with some suggesting that the PPP's unilateral claims were overly represented or that certain expressions could mislead readers into interpreting them as facts. The committee ultimately adopted a revised report, changing the wording from "pointed out" to "claimed."
As the Democratic Party pushed through the confirmation report for Kim, political tensions escalated. On the same day, clashes occurred over the adoption of confirmation reports for five ministerial nominees, including Kim. The National Defense Committee also adopted a confirmation report for Kang Shin-cheol, the nominee for Minister of National Defense, while the report for Lee Hyung-il, the nominee for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, was the only one to be agreed upon in the Finance and Economy Planning Committee, albeit with the opposition's "ineligible" opinion included.
The scheduled meetings of the Land and Infrastructure Committee and the Industry Committee, both chaired by PPP members, were canceled. These committees were supposed to discuss the confirmation reports for Hong Ji-sun, the nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Lee So-young, the nominee for Minister of SMEs and Startups, but ultimately did not convene. Each committee must adopt the reports for the two nominees by September 22; otherwise, President Yoon Suk-yeol can request resubmission within ten days and proceed with the appointments thereafter.
Meanwhile, the PPP plans to continue its offensive even if President Yoon proceeds with Kim's appointment. Citing the case of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who resigned about 30 days after his appointment, the PPP intends to maintain pressure on the Blue House and the ruling party. Reports suggest they are also considering external protests.
Members of the Legislative and Judiciary Committee from the PPP walked out in protest against the unilateral introduction of the confirmation report and held a press conference condemning the Democratic Party's actions. PPP member Park Hyung-soo stated, "The confirmation report was pushed through without prior consultation," and questioned, "Are you declaring war on the public to cancel the prosecution of President Lee Jae-myung's trial?"
Park further criticized the hearing, calling it a "bulletproof hearing" as no key witnesses or references were selected, thus severely limiting the verification of the nominee. He argued that adopting the report based solely on the nominee's explanations and the Democratic Party's support amounted to issuing a "get-out-of-jail-free card."
PPP leader Jang Dong-hyuk also criticized the ruling party on Facebook, stating, "This is not a ruling party but a 'Blue House branch office,'" suggesting that they are disregarding public opinion if it means eliminating the trial. He accused them of having made a decision to "part ways with the public."
Despite the PPP's walkout, the Democratic Party proceeded with the adoption of the confirmation report. Democratic Party member Kim Ui-gyeom remarked, "The differences between the PPP and the Democratic Party are so significant that reaching a compromise is challenging," adding, "I believe the public will understand this situation." Kim Gi-pyo, another Democratic Party member, noted, "Even when trying to reach an agreement, the PPP shows no willingness to cooperate," emphasizing the need to minimize the vacancy for the Minister of Justice.
The Democratic Party also exchanged opinions regarding the content of the confirmation report, with some suggesting that the PPP's unilateral claims were overly represented or that certain expressions could mislead readers into interpreting them as facts. The committee ultimately adopted a revised report, changing the wording from "pointed out" to "claimed."
As the Democratic Party pushed through the confirmation report for Kim, political tensions escalated. On the same day, clashes occurred over the adoption of confirmation reports for five ministerial nominees, including Kim. The National Defense Committee also adopted a confirmation report for Kang Shin-cheol, the nominee for Minister of National Defense, while the report for Lee Hyung-il, the nominee for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, was the only one to be agreed upon in the Finance and Economy Planning Committee, albeit with the opposition's "ineligible" opinion included.
The scheduled meetings of the Land and Infrastructure Committee and the Industry Committee, both chaired by PPP members, were canceled. These committees were supposed to discuss the confirmation reports for Hong Ji-sun, the nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Lee So-young, the nominee for Minister of SMEs and Startups, but ultimately did not convene. Each committee must adopt the reports for the two nominees by September 22; otherwise, President Yoon Suk-yeol can request resubmission within ten days and proceed with the appointments thereafter.
Meanwhile, the PPP plans to continue its offensive even if President Yoon proceeds with Kim's appointment. Citing the case of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who resigned about 30 days after his appointment, the PPP intends to maintain pressure on the Blue House and the ruling party. Reports suggest they are also considering external protests.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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