Confirmation hearings for President Moon Jae-in's cabinet picks continue at the National Assembly today.... with nominees tapped to head the ministries of unification, culture and oceans in the hot seat.
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,... and that it will closely screen them.
Under spotlight, in particular, is 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 in 2008 as a "rite of passage,".... while denying that North Korea was behind the sinking of a South Korean warship in 2010.
But these confirmation hearings are seen as a formality,... because cabinet appointments,... with the exception of the prime minister,... don't require parliamentary endorsement.