[Anchor]
The National Assembly held a confirmation hearing for Prime Minister nominee Han Seong-sook today (June 25). The People Power Party launched an offensive, targeting the nominee's controversy over owning multiple homes and using harsh language such as "power demon," while the Democratic Party defended her as a leader who broke through the glass ceiling and is the right person for the prime minister position.
Reporter Son Hyeong-an has the story.
[Reporter]
The first day of the National Assembly confirmation hearing for Prime Minister nominee Han Seong-sook.
The People Power Party pointed out that Han, who was a multi-home owner, sold three houses after being nominated as the prime minister candidate. They linked this to President Lee Jae-myung's remarks in February criticizing multi-home owners and lashed out as follows:
[Kim Seon-kyo/People Power Party lawmaker: You may have escaped the 'multi-home owner demon' label by the President's standards, but from the perspective of our citizens, you have simply become a 'power demon.']
[Han Seong-sook/Prime Minister nominee: I apologize for the issues related to owning multiple homes, as it did not meet the public's expectations.]
Regarding the criticism that she left illegal extensions on a building she owns in Jongno, Seoul, unattended for a long time despite knowing about them, nominee Han explained, "The consultation process with the district office regarding the demolition took a long time."
The People Power Party also questioned her views on national security, asking "who the main enemy is." Han expressed her view that "any place that threatens the Republic of Korea is our enemy," adding that "North Korea is in a dual situation as both a threat and our compatriots."
[Han Seong-sook/Prime Minister nominee: North Korea is an enemy that poses a threat to us, but at the same time, they are our compatriots...]
[Kim Hee-jung/People Power Party lawmaker: You still don't know the concept of a main enemy. It is clearly specified that the main enemy is the North Korean regime and the North Korean military.]
On the other hand, ruling party members of the hearing committee defined the opposition's offensive as excessive criticism and praised the capabilities of the nominee, who is a former IT entrepreneur, defending her as the right person for the prime minister.
[Kim Dong-a/Democratic Party lawmaker: As a female entrepreneur, I believe you are a great role model for women who have broken through the glass ceiling in a male-dominated society.]
The ruling and opposition parties are scheduled to continue their debate on the second day of the confirmation hearing tomorrow.
(Video coverage: Lee Seung-hwan, Shin Dong-hwan | Video editing: Park Seon-soo)
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