After three days of confirmation hearings for nominee Lee Jin-sook, the opposition party members of the National Assembly’s Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting and Communication Committee (STIBCC) visited Daejeon MBC to verify the corporate card records written during her tenure as CEO. The ruling party criticized this action as “violence disguised as verification.”
Democratic Party spokesperson Han Min-soo announced that they would legally pursue the nominee’s alleged abuse of the corporate card and perjury during the confirmation hearing following the on-site verification on that day. Democratic STIBCC Secretary Kim Hyun, along with lawmakers Noh Jong-myeon, Lee Jeong-heon, and Hwang Jeong-a, participated in the on-site verification.
The nominee received criticism for using the corporate card during her time at MBC for payments exceeding 230 million won at luxury hotels, as well as over 300 small payments of a few thousand won without distinguishing the nature of the spending. The ruling party pointed out that despite extending the confirmation period to three days, the nominee failed to provide a proper explanation for the suspicions raised.
The ruling party’s backlash against the opposition’s on-site verification was met with criticism. Park Joon-tae, a spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated during a briefing that the on-site verification was part of the “4th day of the confirmation hearing,” as well as a move by the opposition party to intimidate public broadcasters. He described it as an abuse of power that would leave a stain on the legislative branch, labeling it as “violence disguised as verification.” He further criticized STIBCC Chair Choi Min-hee for exerting authority, forcing an apology, arbitrarily extending the confirmation period, and making disrespectful comments about the nominee’s mental state.
Journalist: Lee Woo-yeon azar@hani.co.kr