Within the People Power Party, criticism is emerging over the nomination of former lawmaker Lee Hye-hoon, the party chapter head for Seoul Jung and Seongdong B, as the nominee for Minister of the newly launched Ministry of Planning and Budget under the Lee Jae-myung administration. Some voices even called for her expulsion, calling it a betrayal of the party.
Bae Hyun-jin, head of the People Power Party's Seoul chapter, wrote on Facebook on the 28th, "It is a clear act of betrayal that goes beyond political ethics for a former three-term senior lawmaker from Seocho A, a strategic stronghold and favorable district for the People Power Party, and the current party chapter head for Jung and Seongdong B, to join the Lee Jae-myung administration without even submitting a withdrawal letter."
She continued, "The actions of this nominee, who knows better than anyone that the People Power Party has put everything into blocking the Lee Jae-myung administration's expansionary populist fiscal stance, are no different from collaboration with Japanese colonial rule, where one sold conscience and soul for personal advancement," adding, "I strongly propose to the central party the immediate expulsion of this nominee."
Joo Jin-woo, a lawmaker from the same party, also said, "Nominating Lee Hye-hoon as Minister of the Ministry of Planning and Budget is a smokescreen for the economic collapse. Instead of using Lee Hye-hoon as a smokescreen, the policy direction must be completely reversed even now," and added, "Are they saying they'll make (her) a Minister?"
President Lee Jae-myung on this day nominated former lawmaker Lee Hye-hoon as the nominee for Minister of the Ministry of Planning and Budget. As the Ministry of Planning and Budget is a new organization launched as one of the president's campaign pledges, assessments continue that this is a bold appointment of a conservative opposition figure.
Lee Kyu-yeon, senior presidential secretary for public relations and communications, said in a briefing, "The president's personnel philosophy has two pillars: inclusive and pragmatic appointments. We adhered to this personnel principle this time as well," and explained, "As you know, these individuals are considered among the most knowledgeable experts in the economy and budget fields, and we believe they also possess practical capabilities."