The ‘luxury bag and impeachment’ debate continued at the hearing… Candidate Kim Bok-hyung: “Inappropriate comments”

by times news cr

Candidate Kim repeatedly responds to political questions by saying, “This is not the right time to comment.”
Chairman of the Legislative and Judiciary Committee Jeong Cheong-rae repeatedly said, “Please answer with as much conviction as possible.”

Kim Bok-hyung, a candidate for the Constitutional Court Justice, answers questions from lawmakers at a personnel hearing held at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the morning of the 10th. 2024.9.10 News 1

At the National Assembly confirmation hearing on the 10th regarding nominee for Constitutional Court Justice Kim Bok-hyung, questions were raised about current issues such as the ‘allegations of receiving luxury bags’ by President Yoon Seok-yeol’s wife Kim Kun-hee and the impeachment situation in Yeouido.

When candidate Kim continued to respond with something along the lines of “I don’t think it’s appropriate to mention it here,” Jeong Cheong-rae, chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, repeatedly asked, “Please answer with as much conviction as possible.”

At the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing that morning, candidate Kim avoided giving a direct answer to Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Seong-yoon’s questions such as “If the candidate’s family received a 3 million won Dior bag as a gesture of gratitude, would you accept it?” and “A special prosecution is expected in the future, so I don’t think it’s right to turn this (bag) over to the state and that it should continue to be kept. What do Judge Kim Bok-hyung think?” by saying “I don’t think it’s appropriate to mention that here and now.”

Also, to the question, “While the Yoon Seok-yeol Yongsan administration is appointing people who deny the legitimacy and identity of the Republic of Korea and is actively erasing Dokdo, it is not responding properly to things that undermine our country’s legitimacy and identity. It is also seriously infringing on freedom of the press. Isn’t this a violation of the Constitution?” he answered, “I don’t think it’s appropriate to mention this here and now.”

In response, Rep. Jeong Cheong-rae, the chairman of the Legislative and Judiciary Committee, said, “If it is not appropriate to speak here, then there is no point in holding the hearing today.” He added, “Then, where will you speak later on about the things the public wants to ask and hear?”

Chairman Chung also said, “Before becoming a Constitutional Court justice, we are holding today’s hearing to see if candidate Kim has the will to protect the Constitution and to hear a rough estimate of whether this issue is unconstitutional or constitutional.” He added, “It may be politically sensitive and difficult for the candidate, but regardless, he must clearly state his convictions here, and the people want to hear that.”

In response, Song Seok-jun, a member of the People Power Party, protested through a motion to proceed with the meeting, saying, “Last time, they also forced an answer from the candidate for Prosecutor General (Shim Woo-jung),” and “Today, they are making statements by bringing up inappropriate examples from the candidate and demanding an answer based on value judgments.”

Rep. Song then mentioned the anti-South garbage balloons that North Korea has been releasing every day, and asked, “The opposition party is not helping the government to do its job properly, but is instead obstructing it, calling for special prosecutors and impeachment at every opportunity, and even going so far as to call for martial law. What are your thoughts on this?”

When candidate Kim responded, “I don’t think it’s appropriate to talk about that right now,” Rep. Song said, “I think that would be better,” and added, “I know you have a lot to say here, but I ask that you refrain from saying more and only give answers that are absolutely necessary.”

When asked about his opinion on the impeachment of the prosecutors, which is being promoted mainly by the opposition party, candidate Kim responded, “Since the impeachment case is still ongoing, I don’t think it is appropriate to comment on it here now.”

In response, Chairman Chung pointed out again, “No matter how much the Constitutional Court justices speak through their rulings, we are holding the confirmation hearing today because we are curious about how they will rule,” and “That is why I advise you to answer with conviction if possible.”

(Seoul = News 1)

Hot news right now

2024-09-10 05:54:25

You may also like

Leave a Comment