Seoul: Parliamentary confirmation hearing reports were adopted for the justice and defense minister nominees Thursday amid objections from the main opposition People Power Party (PPP). The parliamentary legislation and judiciary committee adopted a confirmation hearing report for Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won as the ruling Democratic Party (DP) forged ahead despite PPP lawmakers' boycott, protesting that allegations surrounding Kim were not fully addressed.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the adoption of the report comes amid a political standoff, with the PPP expressing concerns over the vetting process of Kim Seung-won. The opposition party's objections were rooted in claims that significant allegations related to the nominee had not been thoroughly examined, leading to their decision to boycott the proceedings.
In a parallel development, Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, dismissed international calls for denuclearization during the ongoing 70th regular session of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Austria. Her comments, reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), underscore North Korea's firm stance on its nuclear status, which she described as "absolute."
Meanwhile, in financial markets, Seoul stocks ended the day nearly unchanged as investors processed the implications of the Federal Reserve's first interest rate hike in over three years. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed slightly down at 6,715.41, reflecting investor caution amid global economic shifts.
In other news, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young emphasized during an academic forum that dialogue with North Korea would not be possible if denuclearization is demanded as a precondition. His remarks highlight the complexities of diplomatic engagement with Pyongyang.
On the sporting front, South Korea's Lee Jun-suk advanced to the semifinals in the men's singles teqball event at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. This marks the debut of teqball at the Asian Games, taking place at the Nagoya City Higashi Sports Center.
Source: Yonhap News Agency