Democratic Party of Korea Floor Leader Han Byung-do said Tuesday he would "firmly counter malicious political attacks" and ensure that confirmation hearings for nominees in the second-term Lee Jae Myung cabinet reshuffle are judged on competence and policy, as the hearings got underway.
Speaking at a floor strategy meeting at the National Assembly, Han said the hearings are "a venue to rigorously verify before the public the policy capabilities and execution of the leaders who will head each ministry."
On Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won, who has drawn concentrated scrutiny from opposition-aligned parties, Han said Kim is "a former judge who leads his party's side on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, with experience in both courtroom practice and reform legislation." Han added that he expects Kim to "stably lead a new criminal justice system that the public can trust."
Han criticized the People Power Party, saying it "has been focused on insulting nominee Kim with inflammatory language that has nothing to do with the substance, right up to the eve of the hearings." He said the "real target is not Kim Seung-won as an individual, but criminal justice reform."
Han also took aim at Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae, saying that despite Cheong Wa Dae urging a swift re-nomination of Supreme Court justice candidates — citing the public's right to a fair trial — Jo has yet to offer "any concrete position or timeline."
Han said two Supreme Court justice seats have since fallen vacant and that disruptions to small-bench operations and en banc deliberations are now a concern. He called on Jo to "promptly announce a concrete position and schedule for when and how the vacancy will be resolved, rather than repeating abstract talk of judicial independence."
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