‘청탁 문자·겸직 고수’ 청문 정국 뇌관으로

President Lee Jae-myung appointed six new Vice Ministers to streamline the national government, but concerns have arisen about the effectiveness of this move. Some worry that the rushed appointments may burden the government operations and candidate vetting process. Law and Justice Minister candidate Kim Suk-woon is facing scrutiny over allegations of a "drug safety agency (Korea Food and Drug Administration) lobbying controversy" and Hye-yeong's Home Affairs Minister candidate's "co-holding of parliamentary and government positions" controversy.

These allegations have shifted public attention towards candidate vetting rather than the six-member Vice Minister appointments. The opposition has particularly focused on Kim's potential conflict of interest during the COVID-19 treatment drug approval process in 2021 when a request was made to a pharmaceutical company for approval of a drug being developed by the company.

Kim was later acquitted by the Prosecutor's Office in December 2024. The opposition demands that Kim provide a statement on his actions during his tenure as Law and Justice Minister. The incident has also sparked debate within the ruling party, with some criticizing "no-show" appointments and their potential negative impact on the youth vote.

The Presidential Office now insists that candidates must defend themselves in the public hearings. Recent public opinion research conducted by the Korean Social and Political Opinion Institute (KSOI) from January 31st to January 1st shows that 46.6% of South Koreans disapprove of the six Vice Minister appointments, while 37.7% support it. The public hearings for Kim and another Vice Minister candidate are scheduled for the 18th.