An opposition lawmaker criticized the venture minister nominee Thursday over revelations that his middle school-aged daughter has inherited more than 800 million won ($710,586) of real estate, even though he had called for measures to curb such passing down of wealth while serving as a lawmaker.

Hong Jong-haak, a former professor and legislator who has been named the minister for SMEs and startups, has reported to the government that his family has a total of 4.95 billion won in assets, including the real estate his 13-year-old daughter inherited from his mother-in-law.

Aides to Hong said all relevant taxes were paid for the asset valued currently at about 860 million won. But the inheritance sparked criticism as Hong, while serving as a lawmaker in 2013, called for measures to curb large transfers of wealth, saying it would dampen the morale of ordinary workers.

The issue is expected to be the main point of his confirmation hearing.

Rep. Lee Yong-ho, chief policymaker of the minor opposition People's Party, said during a party meeting Thursday that the case represents another example of "personnel affairs fiasco" of the new government.

"The problem is not about the inheritance process or whether gift tax was paid. The problem lies in that nominee Hong, who served as chaebol reform committee chairman of the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice, had opposed the passing down of wealth saying it can demoralize working-class people," Lee said.

Aides said that Hong has been critical of owners of family-run chaebol passing down wealth to their children, and he remains the same in the position. (Yonhap)