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Lee Hye-hoon, Pick to Lead Revived Budget Ministry, Apologizes for Martial Law Remarks

The mea culpa comes after bipartisan criticism over her past support for Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law attempt.

Overview

  • President Lee Jae Myung nominated the former three-term conservative lawmaker as the inaugural minister of the reinstated Ministry of Planning and Budget.
  • The nominee said she failed to grasp the gravity of the issue at the time and called an insurrection a wrongdoing that must never occur.
  • The new ministry is slated to launch in early January under the prime minister’s office, separating budget allocation and long-term strategy from the Finance and Economy Ministry.
  • The People Power Party expelled her and accused her of betrayal, while figures in the ruling party questioned her past positions tied to Yoon’s martial law bid.
  • She has pledged to cut unnecessary spending while making bold investments, and her appointment faces a confirmation hearing that the president can legally override.