7/16 Minister's Confirmation Hearing, Connecting National Philosophy and Policy Implementation

Introduction - Cabinet appointments entering the 'Execution Period'

Two months have passed since the launch of the Lee Jae-myung administration. With the formation of the inaugural cabinet and the establishment of a political framework completed, a 'policy execution cabinet' that will realize the national governance philosophy is taking shape. At its core are three ministerial candidates responsible for the foundation of national policies: Lee Jin-sook, candidate for Minister of Education Jeong Seong-ho, candidate for Minister of Justice and Kim Young-hoon, candidate for Minister of Employment and Labor. A confirmation hearing for these candidates is scheduled for July 16. Although political attacks and allegations raised by some opposition parties continue to create an unstable atmosphere around the hearing, what is needed now is 'policy-centered verification.' It is essential to confirm how the policies and philosophies presented by the candidates align with President Lee Jae-myung's governance framework and to assess their actual implementation capabilities, which is the fundamental role of the confirmation hearing.

Equation of Education Reform - Candidate Jin-sook Lee

The candidate Jin Sook is tasked with solving the simultaneous challenges of structural imbalances in Korean education and the overpopulation issues in the metropolitan area. A key policy that she is expected to lead is the creation of "10 Seoul Universities." This is the educational version of the regional balanced development that President Lee Jae-myung has emphasized since his presidential campaign. The current plan aims to nurture nine regional national universities, in addition to Seoul National University, to provide equitable educational opportunities and growth potential through financial, personnel, and research support comparable to that of Seoul National University. This policy is not merely about increasing symbolic numbers. It incorporates two national goals: "alleviating competition" and "responding to regional extinction," and is a strategy to shift the current trend of college entrance competition concentrating on Seoul area universities. The candidate has stated that she will pursue co-development with regional private universities, and as such, specific follow-up policies are anticipated regarding government financial distribution methods, tuition policies, and education linked to local industries. Furthermore, the candidate prioritizes restoring trust in the education field. She has identified the recovery of teachers' educational autonomy and the strengthening of mental health and emotional support for students as her first policy goals amidst the decline of teacher rights and a surge in parental complaints. Plans for expanding counseling personnel at the education office and school levels, as well as enhancing the crisis student identification system, are reportedly in the works. The initiatives for academic flexibility and major autonomy are also significant changes. In response to the demand for academic flexibility centered around medical schools, the candidate remarked that she would consider both the return situation and educational conditions, indicating her intention to sufficiently reflect the opinions of universities and students. This aligns with the philosophy of the Lee Jae-myung administration's "field-centered policy," which is based on discussions among educational stakeholders. During the confirmation hearing, there is a possibility that the issue of alleged thesis plagiarism may become a point of contention, but the candidate has stated that she directly authored the thesis and will request verification from specialized agencies. Although some media and opposition parties may attempt to politicize this issue, it appears to carry an excessive weight compared to the substantive discussions of policies.

The Balancer of Prosecutorial Reform – Candidate Jeong Seong-ho

Jung Sung-ho has been nominated as the central figure to coordinate the challenging agenda of prosecutorial reform, based on his long political career and experience as the chair of the Legislative Judiciary Committee. In particular, he is regarded as a key individual to effectively legislate the complete separation of investigative and prosecutorial powers, one of President Lee Jae-myung's pledges, and to lead the establishment of the system based on public trust. Jung has clearly stated that he has no plans to "dismantle" or drastically reduce the prosecution organization. Some media outlets have attempted to paint a provocative image of the candidate's reform agenda by bringing up the concept of "dismantling the prosecution," but he has instead emphasized a cautious approach of "gradual reform without harming the public." This strategy seeks to pursue both the stability and legitimacy of legal administration through principles such as "legislative reform centered in the National Assembly" and "adjustment based on public consensus." In addition to prosecutorial reform, Jung emphasizes sufficient consultation with the National Assembly and public-private connections regarding foreign policy, human rights policy, and the separation of administrative functions that the Ministry of Justice is responsible for. He has positioned himself to gradually implement multi-layered reforms, such as supplementing the functions of the High-ranking Public Officials Crime Investigation Office, adjusting the functions of the Prosecution Bureau within the Ministry of Justice, and enhancing human rights protection functions. During the confirmation hearing process, the opposition may raise issues concerning past political actions or statements. However, considering the essential roles of the Minister of Justice as "political independence" and "administrative coordination," Jung's coordinated approach is evaluated as increasing the realism and sustainability of institutional reform.

Transition of Labor Policy - Candidate Kim Young-hoon

Kim Young-hoon, the nominee for Minister of Employment and Labor, has garnered attention due to his exceptional background as a railway engineer. He is the only candidate with direct experience in the labor field, and there are expectations that he will lead a policy shift with a focus on practicality and field experience. One of Kim's most symbolic policies is the introduction of a '4.5-day workweek.' This approach is not merely about reducing working hours it aims to design a new labor structure that allows wage preservation based on productivity improvements through AI and automation. Kim has stated that he will verify the feasibility of this initiative through pilot programs and gradually expand it through intergovernmental consultations. This policy closely aligns with President Lee Jae-myung's philosophy of 'labor reform centered on quality of life' and is expected to have various ripple effects in the long term, including work-life balance, industrial structure enhancement, and increased youth inflow. Another key policy is the amendment of Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act, popularly referred to as the 'yellow envelope law.' Kim does not view this legislation as 'bad law' and agrees on clarifying employer responsibilities and actualizing the union's right to collective action. This is interpreted as a signal that the government intends to actively reshape the 'labor-management balance structure.' Furthermore, he has specifically proposed improvements to various labor market systems, including the abolition of the comprehensive wage system, mandatory recording of working hours, and protection of the rights of atypical workers. Regarding the recent recurring industrial accidents at the SPC Siheung plant, Kim emphasized the need for a thorough overhaul that includes corporate governance, asserting that both corporate responsibility and government supervisory authority must be strengthened. In terms of the foreign domestic work system, he prioritized "labor rights protection and system refinement" over "cheap labor supply." Although some opposition parties criticize his policies as 'radical,' a consistent focus on a dialog-based approach through labor-management negotiations is evident. The direction of this candidate focuses on designing concrete execution strategies to realize President Lee Jae-myung's philosophy of a "labor-respecting society."

Conclusion – The Path to a Policy Cabinet

The three candidates are not just nominees but 'executors' who will realize the national governance philosophy that the Lee Jae-myung administration aims for. Candidate Lee Jin-suk will be responsible for educational reform focused on balance and autonomy, Candidate Jung Sung-ho for careful institutional reform, and Candidate Kim Young-hoon for the restoration of rights in the labor field and institutional transition. Their policy directions align with President Lee Jae-myung's pledges and clearly define the goal of redesigning each ministry's functions to be 'on-site oriented' and 'people-centered.' The confirmation hearing is a place to examine the direction and feasibility of the policies they lead. If political controversies such as paper verification and past statements devolve into trivial disputes, the public will miss out on real policies. It is not necessary to dismiss the opposition's offensive as mere 'ankle-biting,' but the National Assembly must clearly recognize that the essence of verification is policy. The public asks about future policies, the National Assembly discusses alternatives, and the government prepares for execution. The confirmation hearing is the starting point. It must become a venue for verification where policy precedes politics, allowing these three candidates to grow into policy leaders who realize the governance philosophy.