The Democratic Party of Korea on the 21st forcibly adopted the personnel hearing report on candidate Jeong Eun-kyung for the Ministry of Health and Welfare and Kim Young-hoon for the Ministry of Employment and Labor. The report for candidate Kim Sung-hwan for Minister of Environment was adopted with an agreement from both parties.
The National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee decided on the adoption of the report on candidate Jeong Eun-kyung at the plenary meeting held at 3 p.m. that day. According to the deadline for adopting the hearing report, only the committee members from the Democratic Party and the Rebuilding Korea Party and the Reform Party attended to process it.
Lee Su-jin, a commissioner from the Democratic Party, who serves as the ruling party's secretary in the Welfare Committee, noted, "Last week's personnel hearing adequately confirmed the candidate's capabilities, qualifications, and the raised suspicions. Nevertheless, all members of the People Power Party were absent," adding, "As we can no longer delay the appointment of the Minister of Health and Welfare due to strategic interests, the Democratic Party will adopt the personnel hearing report in accordance with the schedule set by law."
The People Power Party raised concerns during the hearing on the 18th regarding candidate Jeong's spouse's stock holdings related to COVID-19 and allegations of violations of farmland laws, evaluating it as 'a lack of qualifications.'
In the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee as well, the hearing report on candidate Kim Young-hoon was adopted under the leadership of the Democratic Party amid the absence of the People Power Party. The People Power Party has been claiming that Kim's statement, 'North Korea is not an enemy,' and his views on North Korea are problematic, characterizing him as 'unqualified' and urging his voluntary resignation.
Kim Hyeong-dong, a commissioner from the People Power Party and the opposition party's secretary in the Environment and Labor Committee, said, "There were many intense discussions and debates. However, unfortunately, many opinions deemed it insufficient to agree on the adoption of the hearing report given our party's standards," adding, "Many commissioners expressed doubts and concerns about whether he could adequately address issues in the labor field."
However, that day, the hearing report for candidate Kim Sung-hwan, a three-term incumbent lawmaker, was adopted through consensus between the ruling and opposition parties.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly Land Infrastructure and Transport Committee adopted the plan for the personnel hearing of candidate Kim Yun-deok for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and decided to hold the hearing on the 29th.