By Yi Whan-woo
The main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) showed its intention Wednesday to oppose the confirmation of Prime Minister nominee Lee Wan-koo, while the ruling Saenuri Party was closely following an apparent change for the worse in the public's reaction to a series of revelations about him.
"I once tried to be supportive of Lee, considering two previous nominees stepped aside," NPAD Chairman Rep. Moon Jae-in said at the National Assembly. "Not anymore."
The Saenuri Party was seeking to vote on the premier nominee today as originally scheduled while the NPAD wants to delay it.
In 2014, President Park Geun-hye's two picks for prime minister — Ahn Dae-hee and Moon Chang-geuk — stepped down from their nominations after being embroiled in a dispute over ethical lapses.
Ahn, a former Supreme Court justice, faced criticism for receiving favors in his post-retirement earnings. Moon, a former newspaper columnist, stepped aside in the wake of controversy over an unpatriotic remark.
Moon said the opposition would decide today whether to endorse Lee
Other NPAD lawmakers, however, demanded his withdrawal.
"The hearing yesterday clearly showed Lee is unqualified to become a prime minster," said Rep. Joo Seung-yong, one of the NPAD's five Supreme Council members.
The two-day hearing lasted through Wednesday. The opposition criticized Lee, Tuesday, for attempting to influence media executives to pressure junior reporters to stop filing negative stories about him.
Also under the microscope was Lee avoiding military service, his speculative real estate deals, receiving favors in getting a job as a university professor and allegedly plagiarizing his doctoral thesis.
"His comment on media censorship was horrifying and reminded me of the dictatorial regimes of the past," Joo said.
Oh Young-sik, another NPAD Supreme Council member, said, "I can't think of any other nominees in the past who were more controversial than him."
Saenuri Party Chairman Kim Moo-sung rebuffed Moon's remark.
"It's inappropriate to judge whether Lee will receive a National Assembly endorsement based on such a remark, which was solely personal," Kim said.
Rep. Yoo Seong-min echoed a similar view. Yoo was elected as the Saenuri Party's floor leader after Lee resigned on Jan. 25.
"We'll do our best to get a parliamentary endorsement for the time being. We will also seek to persuade the opposition lawmakers," he said.
The Saenuri Party has urged its lawmakers to attend the plenary session, Thursday, when the vote to endorse of Lee will take place.
Endorsement for a prime minister requires a simple majority at the National Assembly.
The Saenuri Party has 158 of 295 seats, while the NPAD has 130.
The main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) showed its intention Wednesday to oppose the confirmation of Prime Minister nominee Lee Wan-koo, while the ruling Saenuri Party was closely following an apparent change for the worse in the public's reaction to a series of revelations about him.
"I once tried to be supportive of Lee, considering two previous nominees stepped aside," NPAD Chairman Rep. Moon Jae-in said at the National Assembly. "Not anymore."
The Saenuri Party was seeking to vote on the premier nominee today as originally scheduled while the NPAD wants to delay it.
In 2014, President Park Geun-hye's two picks for prime minister — Ahn Dae-hee and Moon Chang-geuk — stepped down from their nominations after being embroiled in a dispute over ethical lapses.
Ahn, a former Supreme Court justice, faced criticism for receiving favors in his post-retirement earnings. Moon, a former newspaper columnist, stepped aside in the wake of controversy over an unpatriotic remark.
Moon said the opposition would decide today whether to endorse Lee
Other NPAD lawmakers, however, demanded his withdrawal.
"The hearing yesterday clearly showed Lee is unqualified to become a prime minster," said Rep. Joo Seung-yong, one of the NPAD's five Supreme Council members.
The two-day hearing lasted through Wednesday. The opposition criticized Lee, Tuesday, for attempting to influence media executives to pressure junior reporters to stop filing negative stories about him.
Also under the microscope was Lee avoiding military service, his speculative real estate deals, receiving favors in getting a job as a university professor and allegedly plagiarizing his doctoral thesis.
"His comment on media censorship was horrifying and reminded me of the dictatorial regimes of the past," Joo said.
Oh Young-sik, another NPAD Supreme Council member, said, "I can't think of any other nominees in the past who were more controversial than him."
Saenuri Party Chairman Kim Moo-sung rebuffed Moon's remark.
"It's inappropriate to judge whether Lee will receive a National Assembly endorsement based on such a remark, which was solely personal," Kim said.
Rep. Yoo Seong-min echoed a similar view. Yoo was elected as the Saenuri Party's floor leader after Lee resigned on Jan. 25.
"We'll do our best to get a parliamentary endorsement for the time being. We will also seek to persuade the opposition lawmakers," he said.
The Saenuri Party has urged its lawmakers to attend the plenary session, Thursday, when the vote to endorse of Lee will take place.
Endorsement for a prime minister requires a simple majority at the National Assembly.
The Saenuri Party has 158 of 295 seats, while the NPAD has 130.
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