Choi Hwi-young, the nominee for Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, made a statement during the confirmation hearing concerning the 'nepotism hiring allegations,' saying, "We followed the established process for hiring at Wave Media," indicating that there was no problem. Wave Media is a video streaming service subsidiary founded by Naver in 2016 to enter the U.S. market.
During the confirmation hearing held at the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee of the National Assembly on the 29th, nominee Choi responded when People Power Party lawmaker Baehyun-jin asked, "Is there a precedent for an inexperienced recent college graduate being hired by the U.S. subsidiary of Naver, which has only one marketing manager?" and "What procedures were followed?"
Choi also stated, "My daughter was supposed to start working at a global accounting firm from August after graduating from New York University in May 2016." This suggests that it was not preferential hiring but rather that she got the job due to her abilities. Choi mentioned that he would submit relevant documents.
Previously, lawmaker Baehyun-jin raised suspicions of 'nepotism' regarding Choi's child being hired by Naver's U.S. subsidiary immediately after graduating from university in 2016, where Choi served as the representative.
Regarding the allegations of real estate speculation in the 'Yongin semiconductor cluster,' Choi stated, "The land in Yongin was offered for sale by the owner, and I purchased it because it seemed helpful as it was adjacent to my residence in Yongin, and I was not aware, like the general public, that the Yongin semiconductor cluster was being established."
Kim Seung-soo, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, raised doubts about real estate speculation, saying, "After (Choi) purchased the Yongin site in 2010 and 2018, the Yongin cluster site was established nearby."
There were also questions about whether a person from corporations could understand the complex cultural ecosystem. Lee Gi-heon, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, raised concerns, saying, "I question whether someone from a corporate background can understand the complex cultural ecosystem and generate cultural growth drivers among those who have worked in a pure lineage."
Choi responded, "The work I have done thus far has been about forming relationships and collaborating in the cultural sector (not limited to specific fields)," adding, "If appointed as Minister, I will communicate with many people in the field to find ways and seek support measures." Choi is a former journalist who served as the representative of NHN, the largest online portal in Korea, and the representative of NOL Universe.
There were also questions regarding the enhancement of fundamental rights for workers in the cultural and sports sectors.
In response to a question from Son Sol of the Progressive Party about how he would improve labor conditions if he became Minister, Choi stated, "There are parts where the law operates unfavorably in the process of establishing the comprehensive wage system," and added, "I will carefully look at how to improve the labor relations irrationalities occurring within the cultural industry."