Han Byung-do, floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the People Power Party's vetting offensive against Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won on the 14th, saying that "repeating throw-it-and-see allegations a hundred times cannot turn false incitement into vetting."
Speaking at a supreme council meeting held at the party's Gangwon provincial office in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, Han said, "The National Assembly's attention now shifts to confirmation hearings," adding that "what is making news is not who has the ability and qualifications to work for the people, but who has raised the most sensational allegations."
Pointing in particular to the allegations surrounding Kim, Han said, "Groundless allegations against the nominee and digging into his family's personal details are also a problem." He continued, "They are distorting service usage records of a person with a developmental disability as if they were attendance records of the nominee's child, and they are stirring up public opinion by branding an institutional selection made through an open call as a family favor."
Han stressed, "I hope they keep in mind that those who raise allegations also bear corresponding responsibility," and said, "In this confirmation process as well, we will verify with more responsibility than ever the qualifications and policy capabilities needed to be entrusted with state affairs, and we will respond firmly and sternly to baseless false and fabricated attacks."
On the voluntary withdrawal a day earlier of Yong Hye-in, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, Han said, "We respect a decision that took the public's expectations and sentiment seriously."
Turning to the parliamentary questioning session that concluded that day, Han criticized the People Power Party, saying it "was preoccupied with political strife for the sake of political strife and criticism for the sake of criticism, rather than pointing out problems in government policy and offering alternatives." He added, "People's livelihoods and policy were pushed aside, and insulting language directed at cabinet members took the place of questions."
On issues facing the Gangwon region, Han said, "The 2027 budget for Gangwon State has opened an era of 11 trillion won in state funding for the first time," adding, "We will make sure that the figure of 11 trillion won clearly translates into better lives for Gangwon residents and growth for the region."
