At the confirmation hearing for Minister of Planning and Budget nominee Lee Hye-hoon, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and even the Rebuilding Korea Party, categorized as part of the broader pro-government camp, pressed the nominee. Not only the People Power Party and the Reform Party but also the pro-government side signaled there were problems with various suspicions surrounding the nominee.
Democratic Party lawmaker Park Hong-geun on the 23rd criticized the nominee during a confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Planning, Budget and Economy Committee, saying, "Looking at the policy line, (the nominee and the president) do not align. The nomination was unexpected," and, "For a year there was much talk about not grasping the substance of insurrection and martial law or that arresting Yoon Suk-yeol was illegal, and after being nominated the position changed."
Park then brought up allegations of power abuse toward an intern aide and asked, "Did you not feel there was a problem with your remarks at the time?" Lee replied, "I apologized."
Democratic Party lawmaker Chung Il-young also criticized the nominee for inadequate submission of materials. Chung said, "At the time of the One Pentas application, of the 74 application points, 32 were for the period without owning a home, 25 for family size, and 17 for savings subscription period," and pointed out, "In relation to this, we asked for the most basic sales application form, but the response was that it was an online application so it could not be submitted."
Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Young-hwan also said, "It is true (with One Pentas) you gained capital gains, and the public sees it as a 'lottery subscription,'" adding, "The problem is the fairness of the process. It is as if five (family members) moved around like ghosts. The eldest son got married, but did not notify that fact and did not file a marriage registration. You need to explain."
Democratic Party lawmaker Jin Sung-joon also raised the suspicion of an illegitimate One Pentas application, saying, "Under the application rules, only unmarried children are recognized as dependents, but in effect, after holding a wedding, they applied using the fact that the resident registration remained with the nominee's household," and emphasized, "This is clearly illegal, and I think this house should be put on the market."
Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Do-geol also said, "From the perspective of the middle class or working class, (the opportunities held by the nominee and the children) are things they can hardly dream of accessing, and there seems to have been a need to be more prudent," adding, "Shouldn't you have applied higher standards and a moral yardstick to yourself?"
Democratic Party lawmaker Lee So-young raised the same issue. Lee said, "As the floor leader on the budget committee, I prepared questions on the budget and finance, but after hearing the answers to the morning questions, doubts arose," adding, "A newlywed couple whose relationship had collapsed only started living together again after 1 year and 5 months, and it happened to be the very next day after the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport finished its investigation into One Pentas illegitimate applications and announced the results."
Lee said, "When the relationship had broken down and hit rock bottom, why did the eldest son's wife live alone in a Yongsan apartment with money from the in-laws? Did you charge a usage fee?" Lee Hye-hoon replied, "Human relationships do not just snap overnight," adding, "I hoped the relationship would be mended."