The justice minister nominee expressed objection to same-sex marriages at his confirmation hearing in the National Assembly on Tuesday, adding that he would crack down on LGBT events in downtown Seoul, if deemed harmful to “public safety” and “social norms.”
The comments by nominee Kim Hyun-woong, a senior prosecutor and ex-vice justice minister, suggest stricter enforcement by authorities on LGBT-related issues once Kim assumes office in the coming days.
“Freedom of expression must be respected. But I think sometimes (freedom of expression) should be limited if it goes against public security and social norms,” the nominee said, before adding that he supported laws outlawing same-sex marriages here.
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| Justice Minister nominee Kim Hyun-woong attends his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly on Tuesday. (Yonhap) |
The experienced prosecutor also denied the main opposition’s claims that prosecutors unlawfully neglected to charge top Park administration officials accused of graft in the Sung Woan-jong scandal earlier Tuesday.
The Sung scandal had been investigated justly and fairly, Kim said, refuting charges by NPAD officials that the six ruling bloc officials acquitted of taking bribes had been let go for being Park supporters.
The NPAD had called investigations into the Sung scandal “cursory” as they appeared to be highly politicized, with known Park allies such as former Cheong Wa Dae chief of staff Kim Ki-choon and Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok being absolved of bribery charges.
Sung allegedly gave illicit political funds to eight ruling bloc officials. Two — former Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo and South Gyeongsang Province Gov. Hong Joon-pyo — were indicted. The rest were acquitted for lack of evidence.
Kim vowed he would clamp down “without limitations” on corruption and violent crimes once he assumes the reins of the Justice Ministry in the coming days.
“I will carry out the duties of my office according to the law to the fullest of my capabilities,” Kim said in the opening minutes of his hearing.
“Murder, rape and other violent crimes are still very much existent on our streets. I pledge to strengthen our oversight of such acts.”
Kim will also oversee the Justice Ministry during next year’s parliamentary elections, meaning that the seasoned prosecutor would lead probes into any alleged election scandals and bribery charges that may arise.
By Jeong Hunny (hj257@heraldcorp.com)
