President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday approved the appointments of three Cabinet ministers, Cheong Wa Dae said.
The appointees are Lee Hyoung-il, deputy prime minister and minister of finance and economy; Kang Shin-chul, minister of national defense; and Hong Jee-sun, minister of land, infrastructure and transport.
The National Assembly’s Finance and Economy Planning Committee adopted Lee Hyung-il’s confirmation hearing report Thursday with bipartisan agreement. The report included a favorable assessment from the ruling Democratic Party and an unfavorable opinion from the main opposition People Power Party.
During his hearing, Lee faced criticism over an apartment in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, which he owned for 17 years but reportedly lived in for only about four months. Opposition lawmakers also questioned his involvement in past policies aimed at increasing the tax burden on homeowners who did not reside in their properties. Lee apologized, saying some aspects of the issue did not meet public expectations.
Kang’s hearing report was also adopted Thursday by the National Assembly’s Defense Committee, led by the Democratic Party. The People Power Party and the Reform Party did not participate in the vote, citing concerns over his ethics and responses during the hearing.
Kang faced allegations of irregularities involving real estate transactions, but denied wrongdoing, saying the transactions followed legal procedures and rejecting claims that he had engaged in property speculation.
Hong’s confirmation report was adopted with bipartisan agreement on Sept. 21. The Democratic Party cited his expertise in land and transportation policy, while the People Power Party raised concerns that his rapid promotion, allegedly linked to his ties with the president, could affect his ability to pursue independent policies.
cheesuk@heraldcorp.com
