(LEAD) Confirmation hearing reports adopted for justice, defense minister nominees

Parliamentary confirmation hearings for the justice and defense minister nominees concluded on Thursday, despite opposition from the main opposition People Power Party (PPP). The legislation and judiciary committee approved the report for Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won, while the national defense committee did the same for Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul.

However, the PPP boycotted both hearings, protesting that allegations surrounding the nominees were not fully addressed. Kim's allegations included claims of illegally lobbying the food and drug safety ministry in 2021 for a COVID-19 treatment. The Democratic Party (DP) argued that Kim sufficiently explained himself during the confirmation hearing.

Kang's confirmation hearing also faced a PPP boycott. The DP highlighted the nominee's commitment to reform tasks during his testimony, including the transfer of wartime operational control from the United States and the integration of military academies. Kang also displayed a strong understanding of policy issues, having served as the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command's deputy commander.

Despite this, PPP Rep. Lim Jong-deuk disputed Kang's fitness for the position, citing his failure to address suspicions surrounding his son's commercial property purchase. The PPP also criticized the DP for not calling witnesses during Kang's confirmation hearing.