The new environment minister nominee faced the parliamentary confirmation hearing on Friday, with questions mainly focusing on his eligibility to steer the government environment policies.

While he is expected to pass the hearing process without much difficulty, his lack of expertise in the environmental sector was raised, with him having mainly served in financial departments.

“It is questionable whether the nominee can have a comprehensive view on dealing with environmental issues,” said Rep. Ha Tae-keung, a ruling Saenuri Party representative on the parliamentary Environment and Labor Committee.

The standing committee held a confirmation hearing on the minister nominee, who was named on Aug. 16 to replace Yoon Seong-kyu. The former minister Yoon stepped down earlier from his post amid criticisms over the toxic humidifier disinfectant tragedy and fine dust countermeasures.

Cho, the deputy chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination under the Prime Minister’s Office, is considered an expert in the financial sector, having served in the Economic Planning Board, the Ministry of Planning and Budget and the Ministry of Strategy and Finance.

“Although many (lawmakers here) worry about my 27 years of experience at the Finance Ministry, I have chiefly taken charge of social agenda there, such as the environment, education and public welfare,” the nominee said in answer to doubting questions.

“Based on my experience of collaborating with various authorities, I will solve pending (environmental) issues through communication with other ministries.”

Since 2014, Cho has participated in drawing up the government’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan during his time at the Prime Minister’s Office. He has also overseen the comprehensive government plan to fight fine dust.

The minister candidate addressed the Volkswagen’s emissions-rigging scandal, vowing to reinforce the number of officials responsible for the supervision of vehicle authentication. He also promised to fully support the victims of toxic humidifier disinfectant in receiving their due treatment and compensation.

Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers cited some allegations of irregularities against Cho.

Rep. Han Jeoung-ae of The Minjoo Party of Korea asked Cho about the suspicion that he had received private information for his stock investment in Il-yang Pharmaceutical in 2009.

In 2009 June, two months after Cho purchased Il-yang Pharmaceutical stocks, the company officially entered into a contract with a local avian influenza expert regarding swine flu vaccination technology.

“I normally did stock investment during my spare time such as during lunch time, while all I did was to receive phone calls from stock firms and talk to them on stocks for about 10 seconds,” said Cho, denying the given allegations.

Cho also apologized about gaining special favors for his then-middle school student son regarding his volunteer activity at the Ministry of Planning and Budget -- now integrated into the Ministry of Strategy and Finance -- in 2001-2003.

“I think it was not considerate enough to allow my son to work in my office (while other students have to volunteer at other places),” said Cho.

By Kim Da-sol (ddd@heraldcorp.com)