Yoon says undecided on whether to appoint health minister nominee

Health minister nominee Chung Ho-young / Korea Times file

President Yoon Suk-yeol said Tuesday he will continue to review whether to appoint health minister nominee Chung Ho-young, who is accused of using his position to get his children into a medical school.

Chung is one of the Cabinet nominees that have not been formally appointed, along with prime minister nominee Han Duck-soo, justice minister nominee Han Dong-hoon and gender minister nominee Kim Hyun-sook, as the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has objected to their appointments.

Asked whether he has decided to appoint Chung, Yoon told reporters upon arrival at the presidential office that he will "continue to review" the matter. The remark came amid speculation Yoon could withdraw Chung's nomination in exchange for the opposition party's agreement to confirm the prime minister nominee.

The nomination of Chung, a former chief of Kyungpook National University Hospital, as health minister has become a hot issue after allegations surfaced he used his position to help his daughter and son gain admission to the university's medical school and exempt his son from active duty military service.

Asked whether he will appoint justice minister nominee Han Dong-hoon, Yoon also replied that he will continue to review the matter.

The DPK has called for Yoon to withdraw his nomination of Han, one of Yoon's closest confidants, citing his resistance to prosecution reform.

In Korea, all ministers are subject to a confirmation process, but only the prime minister's appointment requires National Assembly approval. (Yonhap)

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