Special Inspector nominee Choi Gil-su's hearing set for Sept. 18
The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee decided to hold confirmation hearings for Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won and Special Inspector nominee Choi Gil-su on Tuesday and Sept. 18, respectively. The committee held a general meeting at the National Assembly that day and, with agreement from both the ruling and opposition parties, adopted the plan for the hearings. A separate matter concerning requests for witnesses and reference persons was set aside for further review after negotiators from the two parties failed to reach an agreement.
The People Power Party had requested 44 witnesses and four reference persons, but the Democratic Party has taken the position that no witnesses should be approved. Rep. Park Hyung-soo, who leads the People Power Party's side on the committee, said in a floor speech that day, "The Democratic Party is once again trying to turn this into a toothless hearing with no witnesses at all." He added, "Investigating and resolving allegations that concern the public is the responsibility of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and of a confirmation hearing."
Opposition parties have repeatedly alleged that in 2021, Kim lobbied Kim Kang-lip, who then headed the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. They claim he sought approval for a clinical trial of a new COVID-19 drug. There have also been claims that a social cooperative run by Kim's spouse hired his two children and paid them hundreds of millions of won in wages. Kim's camp has flatly denied the clinical trial favor allegations, saying the contact was a routine relay of a constituent's request. It also argues that the allegations over family wages stem from an inaccurate calculation.
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