Cheong Wa Dae (Im Se-jun/The Korea Herald)
Cheong Wa Dae (Im Se-jun/The Korea Herald)

Hearings to proceed: Cheong Wa Dae said justice minister nominee Kim Seung-won and gender equality minister nominee Yong Hye-in should face National Assembly confirmation hearings despite mounting controversy.

Vetting under fire: The presidential office acknowledged concerns over how the nominees were screened and pledged to strengthen its personnel vetting system to meet public expectations.

Yong seat dispute: Yong faces criticism for planning to retain her proportional-representation Assembly seat if appointed, breaking with the customary practice of stepping down after joining the Cabinet.

Party ties questioned: Scrutiny has also focused on Yong’s husband, Park Ki-hong, who has held senior Basic Income Party roles and received about 3 million won a month as a party official.

Kim case revived: Kim is again under scrutiny over allegations that he helped relay a biotech company’s request to expedite approval for a COVID-19 clinical trial in 2021; police have now opened an investigation.

Cheong Wa Dae denial: The presidential office rejected a report that Democratic Party leaders had asked for Yong’s withdrawal, saying no such request was made.

Ratings take hit: President Lee Jae Myung’s approval rating fell to 37.4 percent, its lowest since his June 2025 inauguration, with Realmeter citing nominee controversies as a major factor.


dagyumji@heraldcorp.com