Amid growing public opinion for the voluntary resignation of Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kang Sun-woo and Minister of Education Lee Jin-sook, President Lee Jae-myung is expected to make a decision regarding their positions as early as this weekend.
As of the 17th, both the Presidential Office and the ruling party maintain that there is 'no change in the atmosphere' in public.
Presidential Office Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung denied media reports that the atmosphere regarding the two candidates had changed, stating that 'there is still no special shift in the atmosphere.' Chief of Public Relations Lee Gyu-yeon also informed the press early in the morning that 'reports from some media indicating that the atmosphere in the Presidential Office has tilted towards the voluntary resignation of Candidate Kang Sun-woo are not true,' adding that 'the Presidential Office's existing position remains unchanged.' They are holding the position of 'waiting to observe the confirmation hearing process and make a judgment.'
Democratic Party of Korea floor spokesperson Kim Hyun-jung also met with reporters on the same day, saying, 'The Democratic Party's position has not changed from what it has been,' while adding, 'the decision on whether to appoint the candidates is ultimately made by the President.'
Ultimately, unless the two candidates voluntarily resign, President Lee, as the one with the appointment authority, must make a decision. The Presidential Office stated that President Lee is reportedly receiving daily briefings on various issues arising from the confirmation hearings and is keeping track of the situation. A comprehensive report is expected after all 16 minister candidates' confirmation hearings are concluded on the 18th.
Woo Sang-ho, chief political aide at the Presidential Office, stated that 'after the confirmation hearings conclude on Friday (the 18th), we plan to provide the President with a comprehensive report on the overall situation,' anticipating that 'after the comprehensive report, the President will make a certain judgment as the one with appointment authority.'
Accordingly, there are projections that President Lee will make a judgment regarding public opinion on the voluntary resignation or withdrawal of the two candidates as early as the weekend.
For President Lee, if the initial cabinet candidates fail, there will likely be concerns that criticism of inadequate personnel verification and disruptions in governance momentum during the early stage of his term will become burdensome. Some factions within the ruling party view that this could allow the opposition party to seize control of the political landscape due to the candidates' potential failures.
On the other hand, there are also opinions that it would be beneficial for governance to show a willingness to accept public opinion rather than enforcing the candidate appointments. This is because the issues surrounding the two candidates have not been completely resolved even after the confirmation hearing, and calls for their resignation have not subsided.
Kim Young-jin, a member of the Democratic Party and a supporter of Lee Jae-myung's faction, stated in an MBC radio interview on the 17th that 'it is necessary to clearly listen to the opinions of those who have been harmed (in relation to Candidate Kang), and both the individuals concerned and the appointing authority need to deeply consider the public opinion and the public's perspective.' Fellow party member Kim Sang-wook publicly demanded the voluntary resignation of Candidate Lee, stating, 'There is an unacceptably significant issue regarding essential aspects of carrying out the duties of the Minister of Education.'