Controversy Erupts Over Wedding Gift Debate During Kim Sung-hwan's Confirmation Hearing

On July 15, during the confirmation hearing for Environment Minister nominee Kim Sung-hwan at the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee, a heated exchange arose regarding wedding gifts for Lee Dong-ho, the son of President Lee Jae-myung. The opposition party, People Power Party, pressed Kim on whether he had given a monetary gift, citing that the mobile invitation for the wedding included a bank account number. In contrast, the ruling Democratic Party argued that this issue was irrelevant to the confirmation process.

People Power Party member Woo Jae-jun questioned Kim, asking if he had attended the wedding without providing a gift, and whether he was aware of the account number being shared in the mobile invitation. Kim responded, stating, "There were so many people that I couldn't find a place to give a gift. I went to congratulate them but did not give a separate monetary gift. I did not receive a mobile invitation, but I did receive a text message that did not include an account number."

Woo further claimed that the presidential office had publicly announced that they would decline floral tributes, implying that there was no mention of rejecting monetary gifts, which he interpreted as a suggestion to send money instead. He also referenced a previous statement by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok regarding how he paid a fine of 700 million won, suggesting that the public might find it strange that money could be raised through personal events.

Kim defended himself, asserting, "I have not transferred any money or done anything that would compromise my 60 years of honor."

Democratic Party members expressed their discontent with Woo's comments, arguing that discussing the president's son's wedding was unrelated to the confirmation hearing. Kim Tae-sun from the Democratic Party expressed regret over the topic being raised, emphasizing that giving gifts at personal events is a traditional cultural practice in society. He stated, "It is only natural to give condolences or gifts at funerals or weddings. I believe Woo would also give a gift."

Another Democratic member, Kang Deuk-gu, noted that the president was a fellow lawmaker and that informing colleagues was a matter of courtesy. He added that he did not attend the wedding and that the account number was not included in the text message sent to lawmakers.

As the debate continued, the chairperson of the committee, Ahn Ho-young from the Democratic Party, intervened to restore order, allowing the hearing to proceed with policy inquiries.