Overview

• The National Assembly began confirmation hearings Monday with opposition lawmakers pausing Kang Sun-woo’s session to protest her alleged gapjil workplace abuses.
• Kang Sun-woo apologized for directing legislative aides to perform personal chores and assured lawmakers she will address the allegations thoroughly.
• A coalition of academic associations reported 21 ethics issues in Lee Jin-sook’s publications, including instances of copying students’ work and publishing dissertations under her own name.
• Opposition parties have jointly demanded that Lee Jae-myung withdraw both nominees over the emerging ethics concerns.
• The ruling Democratic Party of Korea has called the allegations smear tactics and is expected to use its parliamentary majority to advance the nominations.