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Kim Min-seok, nominee for prime minister, speaks during a roundtable discussion on food prices with industry and academic experts at the Financial Supervisory Service Training Center in Jongno, Seoul, on June 14. / Source: Yonhap News

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) is escalating its offensive over personnel appointments under President Lee Jae-myung, shifting its focus to Prime Minister nominee Kim Min-seok following the resignation of Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs Oh Gwang-soo over allegations of real estate speculation.

On June 15, PPP lawmakers called for an extension of the confirmation hearing period to thoroughly investigate a slew of allegations surrounding Kim. Rep. Bae Joon-young wrote on Facebook, “There’s too much that the nominee must clarify,” adding, “We will discuss the possibility of extending the schedule with the Democratic Party’s floor leader and the chair of the special confirmation committee on the 17th.”

The opposition argues that more time is needed to examine suspicions including financial transactions with individuals accused of providing illegal political funds and allegations that Kim pulled strings to help his son’s college admissions—a case of so-called “dad privilege.” Although the National Assembly Act limits confirmation hearings to three days, hearings for prime minister nominees have typically lasted only two.

PPP spokesperson Ho Joon-seok also criticized Kim’s recent public appearance. “With growing public backlash over whether someone like Kim should even be considered for prime minister, he held a roundtable with food industry representatives even before his confirmation hearing—essentially using the president’s ‘2,000 won ramen’ remark as PR fodder. It’s an insult to the public.”

Regarding the presidential office’s refusal to set clear criteria for disqualifying nominees, PPP Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon issued a scathing rebuke. “How can a president who has four criminal convictions—drunk driving, impersonating a prosecutor, and others—and is currently on trial for the largest corruption scandal in Korea’s history talk about disqualification standards?” he posted on Facebook.

Kim added, “At this point, it’s no longer a ‘government of the people’ but a ‘government of convicts.’ Instead of debating disqualification rules, maybe we should just institutionalize a fast track for felons with at least four convictions to become high-ranking officials.”