Controversy Erupts Over North Korea's Threat Status During Labor Minister Nominee Hearing

On July 16, 2025, Kim Young-hoon (김영훈), the nominee for Minister of Employment and Labor, faced scrutiny during his confirmation hearing held by the Environment and Labor Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. The topic of North Korea's status as a threat or enemy was a focal point of discussion. When asked by lawmaker Jo Ji-yeon (조지연) about who the 'main enemy' of South Korea is, Kim responded, 'Any force that puts South Korea in danger.' This statement sparked controversy, especially following conflicting remarks from other ministerial nominees.

On the previous day, Jeong Dong-young (정동영), the nominee for Minister of Unification, stated that North Korea is 'not an enemy but a threat,' while Ahn Gyu-baek (안규백), the nominee for Minister of National Defense, affirmed that North Korea is indeed the main enemy. Kim attempted to navigate this divide by agreeing with both nominees, stating, 'I concur with the Unification Minister nominee's opinion, but I also agree with the Defense Minister nominee regarding the North Korean military being a main enemy.' He added, 'This is not my area of expertise, so I cannot elaborate further.'

In response, members of the ruling party, People Power Party (국민의힘), called for a recess, arguing that Kim needed to clarify his stance on North Korea. Lawmaker Kim So-hee (김소희) expressed concern that if the nominee held such views, the Ministry of Employment and Labor could become a branch of the North Korean Workers' Party in South Korea.

On the other hand, members of the opposition party, Democratic Party of Korea (더불어민주당), contended that questioning the nominee about North Korea's status was inappropriate. Lawmaker Kang Deuk-gu (강득구) remarked that it is up to the public to judge whether framing the issue in terms of the past is appropriate. Another lawmaker, Kim Tae-sun (김태선), noted that whether North Korea is considered an enemy is a political issue and should not be used to evaluate the nominee's qualifications for the labor minister position.

Ultimately, the People Power Party members left the hearing in protest, insisting that Kim Young-hoon must clarify his views on North Korea. The Democratic Party continued the hearing without the opposition present.