법사위, 9월 2∼3일 이틀간 조국 인사청문회 합의
After weeks of wrangling, the Parliament has finally agreed on a date for the confirmation hearing of controversial justice minister nominee, Cho Kuk.
It will be held for two days starting next Monday.
The agreement comes after Cho revealed his reform plans for the prosecution and the judiciary earlier in the day.
Kim Mok-yeon has the latest from the National Assembly.
President Moon Jae-in's pick for justice minister, Cho Kuk, will finally be questioned by lawmakers in the National Assembly for two days on September 2nd and 3rd.
Rival party lawmakers of the parliament's judiciary committee made the announcement on Monday after weeks of bipartisan wrangling over Cho's ethical qualifications.
The ruling Democratic Party has been demanding that the confirmation hearing be held for one day as with other ministers, but the main opposition Liberty Korea Party wants 3 days given the suspicions surrounding Cho.
It's rare for a confirmation hearing to last for two days.
If it happens, Cho will be the seventh minister-level nominee to undergo one.
His nomination has been creating public outrage because of a series of scandals, including allegations that his daughter received preferential treatment in college admissions as well as his suspicions about his family's investment in a private equity fund.
Earlier in the day, the nominee reaffirmed his strong determination to explain all the corruption allegations against him and his family at his confirmation hearing.
"If a confirmation hearing is held, I am willing to reveal my flaws and limitations as well as explain my beliefs and thoughts.
I am also opened to criticism. Once again, I apologize to the public."
Cho also announced his own vision of reform in law enforcement and the prosecution.
He revealed a 10-page roadmap that includes giving police more investigative powers and establishing an independent unit to probe corruption among high-ranking government officials.
Cho stressed that prosecutorial and judicial reform is an aspiration of the entire society, and he promised to work actively, if he becomes justice minister, to bring about change.
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang News."
