Confirmation hearings for President Moon Jae-in's cabinet picks continue at the National Assembly.
Nominees tapped to head the ministries of unification, culture and oceans are in the hot seat today.
The ruling party has called the candidates fit for the job,... citing their background and experience.
However, the opposition bloc claims the candidates are the worst pick ever,... vowing to closely screen them.
Under spotlight, in particular, will unification minister nominee Kim Yeon-chul,... over his past remarks regarding inter-Korean developments.
He has referred to the death of a South Korean national at a mountain resort in North Korea 2008 as a "rite of passage,".... while disregarding that North Korea was behind the sinking of a South Korean warship in 2010.
But the confirmation hearing itself is seen as a formality,... as cabinet appointments,... with the exception of the prime minister,... do not require parliamentary endorsement.