The Democratic Party of Korea has completed the formation of a special committee for the confirmation hearing of Prime Minister nominee Han Sung-sook. The People Power Party plans to submit its committee list next week.
According to political sources Wednesday, the Democratic Party submitted its list for the confirmation hearing committee on the nominee to the National Assembly Secretariat. The list includes seven members: three-term lawmaker Baek Hye-ryun, two-term lawmakers Kim Han-kyu, Lee So-young and Jeon Yong-gi, and first-term lawmakers Kim Dong-ah, Song Jae-bong and Park Kyun-taek. Baek has been designated as chair of the confirmation committee. Kim Han-kyu will serve as the ruling party's floor manager.
The People Power Party plans to finalize and submit five committee members during next week. Once National Assembly Speaker Cho Jung-sik names one member for the non-negotiating bloc, the formation of the 13-member confirmation committee will be complete.
The National Assembly received the confirmation hearing request for the nominee the previous day. Under the Personnel Hearing Act, the National Assembly must complete the hearing within 15 days from the date the request is received, and the entire review process, including the adoption of the confirmation report, must conclude within 20 days.
Unlike ministers, the prime minister requires the National Assembly's consent for appointment. After the hearing, final appointment is possible only with a majority attendance of registered lawmakers and majority approval of those present at a plenary session. As the Democratic Party holds a majority of National Assembly seats, no major obstacles are expected in processing the consent motion for the nominee.
