Lee Hye-hoon, President Lee Jae Myung's nominee for the new Ministry of Planning and Budget, apologized Tuesday for her past support of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law declaration. The move followed presidential instructions to clarify her stance, as she heads into a parliamentary confirmation hearing.
Following her nomination on December 28—detailed in prior coverage—Lee Hye-hoon faced swift criticism from both ruling and opposition parties over her history of supporting Yoon's martial law bid, attending anti-impeachment rallies, and critiquing President Lee's fiscal policies.
The People Power Party expelled her, branding her a traitor. President Lee, via spokesperson, urged her Monday to disavow those positions and commit to dialogue for better policies.
En route to her office Tuesday for confirmation hearing preparations, Lee stated, "An insurrection is clearly a wrongdoing that should never occur in our constitutional history." She acknowledged failing to grasp the issue's gravity at the time.
The nomination highlights persistent ideological divides in South Korean politics. Parliament will hold a confirmation hearing, though appointment can proceed regardless.
