Opposition lawmakers on Monday grilled two of President Park Geun-hye’s latest ministerial nominees at their respective confirmation hearings, demanding they step down over “inadequacies” and various allegations including tax evasion.
Saenuri Party Rep. Yoo Il-ho, the minister-designate for land, infrastructure and transport, along with Rep. Yoo Ki-june, the nominee for oceans and fisheries minister, were the first to be grilled by the National Assembly in this week’s confirmation hearings of Park’s new Cabinet.
The main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy said it doubted the nominees’ “sincerity,” pointing to their reluctance to state their position in running for reelection in next year’s general election. Doing so would leave them a maximum of 10 months in their ministerial posts.
“Both nominees have at best about eight months to serve in their positions, excluding the time it takes for them to adjust to their new jobs. The nominees will have little time to carry out any meaningful policy initiatives,” NPAD Rep. Lee Un-ju said.
All candidates running for legislative seats must resign from public office at least 90 days before the vote.
NPAD Rep. Hwang Ju-hong said, “Former Prime Minister Nam Duk-woo once said two years were far from enough time to get anything done. … I can’t help but ask, what you will do in 10 months.”
Both appointees refused to comment on whether they would run in 2016.
As criticism mounted over the two appointees’ credentials with the opposition accusing the designation as deriving from their political affinity to the president, some of the ruling party members joined in.
“How will you lead an organization knowing that you will likely vacate your position in the near future?” Saenuri Rep. Lee Jong-bae asked the nominee for oceans and fisheries minister.
The two also face allegations of property speculation, tax evasion and other “morally questionable” actions in the past.
Yoo Il-ho is accused of evading up to 7.64 million won in taxes ($6,870) when he sold an apartment in 2005.
Yoo Ki-june is also questioned for his vote in 2012 in favor of disbanding the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.
Both Yoos have also admitted to illegally having changed the home addresses of their children so that they could attend schools in wealthier neighborhoods.
By Jeong Hunny ()
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
