Ruling, opposition parties spar over timing of Yong Hye-in's confirmation hearing

The ruling and opposition parties disagreed Tuesday over the schedule for the National Assembly confirmation hearing for Yong Hye-in, the nominee for minister of gender equality and family. The Democratic Party insists the hearing must be held by Sept. 18 at the latest, while the People Power Party wants it held on Sept. 21.

Kim Seong-hoe, floor spokesperson for the Democratic Party, told reporters that day, "We have kept saying it would be good to hold it for a day sometime between Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, but negotiations have stalled somewhat because the People Power Party keeps insisting on pushing it back."

Kim Seung-soo, chief deputy floor leader of the People Power Party, however, reaffirmed the party's position, telling reporters, "We are insisting on holding it on Sept. 21." The date proposed by the People Power Party falls one day before the legal deadline for Yong's confirmation hearing, which is Sept. 22.

The People Power Party argues that the schedule needs to be coordinated to avoid clashing with other standing committees' hearings and confirmation proceedings. Assembly members serve on the Gender Equality and Family Committee, which oversees the ministry, only as a secondary assignment. The People Power Party chairs the Gender Equality and Family Committee.

In response, Floor Spokesperson Kim Seong-hoe said, "There is a period set by law, but considering the time needed to adopt and submit the confirmation report, hearings are never held on the very last day of the legal deadline. We would like the hearing held with enough time for it to proceed normally and for the report to be adopted and passed along."

Controversy is growing over Yong's stance that she will not give up her proportional representation Assembly seat after taking office, breaking with precedent. Some lawmakers in both the People Power Party and the Democratic Party have said Yong should resign her Assembly seat.

Meanwhile, the standing committees have officially finalized the confirmation hearing schedules for the other nominees named in the Aug. 30 Cabinet reshuffle covering six ministries, excluding Yong. The schedule follows an agreement previously reached by the ruling and opposition parties. Hearings for Minister of Justice nominee Kim Seung-won and Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs nominee Lee Hyung-il will be held Sept. 15. Minister of SMEs and Startups nominee Lee So-young will also attend a hearing that day. Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport nominee Hong Ji-sun and Minister of National Defense nominee Kang Shin-chul will attend hearings Sept. 16.