Lead
Prime Minister nominee Han Seong-sook has sold off three of her four homes, leaving her with a single house in Seoul's central Samcheong-dong district, her office said on Tuesday, as she prepared for a parliamentary confirmation hearing where her property holdings were expected to draw criticism.
The two-day hearing began Thursday at the National Assembly, with lawmakers from the main opposition People Power Party questioning her eligibility for the post, according to Yonhap News. Han, who currently serves as minister for small and medium-sized enterprises and startups, has faced scrutiny over a series of controversies, including a personal information leak involving the government's audition-style startup incubation program.
Coverage Comparison
Yonhap News reported on the development across multiple articles. One report focused on the sale of the homes, noting that Han had owned three homes in Seoul and another in Gyeonggi Province. The remaining property is a house in Samcheong-dong, her office said.
Another report covered the opening of the confirmation hearing, quoting Han's remarks about her commitment to public service and her decision to sell the properties. A third report offered an editorial assessment, criticizing the hearing for failing to provide meaningful scrutiny and placing responsibility on the ruling Democratic Party's opposition to witnesses.
The reports also noted that Han's nomination is expected to be approved, as the ruling Democratic Party holds a parliamentary majority with 161 out of 300 seats, allowing the motion to be passed unilaterally.
Key Claims
- Han Seong-sook sold three homes, leaving her with one house in Seoul's Samcheong-dong district, as reported by Yonhap.
- Han joined the government as minister for small and medium-sized enterprises and startups last year, according to Yonhap.
- The confirmation hearing began June 25 and was scheduled to run two days, with opposition lawmakers questioning her eligibility, Yonhap reported.
- Han has come under scrutiny over multiple controversies, including a personal information leak involving the government's startup incubation program, as reported by Yonhap.
- The Democratic Party holds a majority in the National Assembly, and Han's nomination can pass without opposition support, according to Yonhap.
- An editorial published by Yonhap said the hearing was unlikely to escape criticism for failing to provide meaningful scrutiny, noting the ruling party opposed all 11 witnesses requested by the opposition.
Regarding the property sales, Han said, "I realized that serving in public office carries far greater responsibility than working in the private sector, which is why I had put my homes on the market," as quoted by Yonhap. She added, "The reason I decided to sell (my properties) even at a low price ... was because I felt I had to do everything I could."
Her office said Han "feels a heavy responsibility as a high-level civil servant and will take the lead in carrying out the government's real estate policy stance," Yonhap reported.
Perspectives
Opposition People Power Party
Lawmakers from the main opposition People Power Party criticized Han for selling her homes just days before the hearing, arguing that her previous ownership of multiple homes ran counter to President Lee Jae Myung's stance against real estate speculation, according to Yonhap.
Ruling Democratic Party approach
An editorial carried by Yonhap said the ruling Democratic Party opposed all 11 witnesses and reference witnesses requested by the opposition during the hearing, and that the party appeared more focused on defending nominees than examining them. The editorial said some lawmakers even downplayed the controversy by noting that many previous public officials had owned multiple homes and few had sold them.