▲ A parody photo of DP leader Kim Min-seok's notebook posted on Facebook by People Power Party lawmaker Kim Sung-won
The People Power Party (PPP) stepped up its offensive against the ruling party today, September 10, latching onto the Democratic Party's effective refusal to adopt witnesses for the confirmation hearing of Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won, who is facing allegations of soliciting favors for new drug clinical trials.
The PPP made an issue of what it calls the Democratic Party's hypocrisy, pointing out that while the DP demanded and secured witness adoptions during major confirmation hearings when it was an opposition party, it is now building a defensive wall for Nominee Kim by claiming that "going without witnesses is a confirmation hearing" (according to DP lawmaker Seo Young-kyo).
Chief Spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon criticized the Democratic Party in a commentary regarding the confirmation hearing, stating, "Chained allegations that need to be clarified, such as suspicions of soliciting approval for new drug clinical trials and stock manipulation, are piling up, yet the witness seats where the truth should be asked are being left empty. The eyes of the public watching are more numerous than the Democratic Party's legislative seats."
Lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun, serving his fifth term, posted on Facebook, "Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chairperson Seo Young-kyo said that 'going without witnesses is a normal confirmation hearing,' but back in 2022 when she chaired the Public Administration and Security Committee ahead of the confirmation hearing for Interior Minister nominee Lee Sang-min, when four designated witnesses failed to attend, the Democratic Party even demanded criminal complaints and companion orders." He emphasized that a person surnamed Kang, a person surnamed Yang identified as a broker, former Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) chief Kim Gang-lip, and independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon must be summoned as core witnesses.
Lawmaker Jin Jong-o also posted on Facebook, asking, "Have you forgotten that during the 2022 confirmation hearing for Justice Minister nominee Han Dong-hoon, the Democratic Party put Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department head Han Dong-su and Ministry of Justice Inspection Officer Lim Eun-jung on the witness stand?" He pointed out, "What the public wants is not a hearing to 'save Kim Seung-won's older brothers.'"
Lawmaker Kim So-hee appeared on BBS Radio and sneered, "Does the Lee Jae-myung administration want to make going without witnesses a 'new normal' during confirmation hearings? Can you really defend your approval ratings this way?"
The PPP also continued its dual-pronged offensive targeting Gender Equality and Family Minister nominee Yong Hye-in.
Supreme Council member Yang Hyang-ja criticized Nominee Yong during a Supreme Council meeting, urging the withdrawal of her nomination by stating, "The suspicions surrounding the Basic Income Party's phantom provincial and city chapter must be used as an opportunity to set the basics of South Korea's party politics straight."
Chief Spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon pressured her in a commentary, stating, "Nominee Yong, who had maintained silence, has finally even stopped going to work at the confirmation hearing preparation office. This is a cowardly and evasive trick to flee because she cannot offer an explanation. Step down voluntarily."
Lawmaker Kim Sung-won, serving his third term, posted a photo on Facebook holding a notebook with the phrases "Kim Seung-won and Yong Hye-in OUT" and "Seoul Mayor Trial 'Not Guilty,' No By-election!" written on it.
This was a parody of a notebook belonging to Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok, which was captured by cameras the previous day with the words "Han Dong-hoon and Lee Jin-suk OUT" and potential Seoul mayoral candidates written inside.
Lawmaker Lee Jin-suk also posted on Facebook, firing back, "Millennium NHK Kim Min-seok's playing president. Shouldn't Kim Seung-won and Yong Hye-in be the ones on the list to be ousted?"
Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, who is leading the offensive against Nominee Kim, posted about 10 messages on Facebook just this morning alone, pressing Nominee Kim.
He pointed out, "Looking at the materials submitted by Nominee Kim's side, there is shocking content showing that Kim Seung-won knew a person named Yang would take commissions if the new drug was approved, and that he told people to watch what they say so it doesn't leak since it would also be subject to the parliamentary audit." He added, "President Lee said he would ruin the lives of those who engage in stock manipulation, yet he appointed Kim Seung-won, who actually helped with stock manipulation, as the Minister of Justice."
He also fiercely criticized, "The Democratic Party, the Prime Minister's Office, and the Ministry of Justice are all rushing in like crazy to hunt down the whistleblower of corruption. The Democratic Party's older brothers will become isolated from the public and common sense."
(Photo: Captured from lawmaker Kim Sung-won's Facebook, Yonhap News)
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