Controversy is spreading in all directions as the suspicion of ‘father chance’ of the child of former Kyungpook National University Hospital president Jeong Ho-young, a candidate for the Minister of Health and Welfare, has also moved to the issue of his son’s military service.
Candidate Chung and the personnel hearing preparation team countered that “there was no preference,” but as new allegations surfaced one following another, the possibility of his falling out is spreading little by little, centering on the Democratic Party of Korea.
In fact, the Democratic Party seems to be continuing the offensive of suspicion by placing Candidate Jeong and Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon, who is a close aide to the prosecution of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol, on the ‘top priority target’ list.
According to the Democratic Party and Kyungpook National University Hospital on the 15th, Chung’s son (31) was tested for active duty in his first military service test in the past, but five years later, his decision was changed to be called for social service.
In particular, he received a medical certificate for reexamination at Kyungpook National University Hospital where Chung worked, and his son worked as a social worker at the Daegu District Court from February 2019 to December 2020.
On the Democratic side, there are voices that are raising doubts regarding whether his son actually suffered from spinal disease, which is the basis for the change in his military service decision, as claimed by the personnel hearing preparation team.
Various suspicions have also surfaced over the course of candidate Chung’s son and daughter transferring their bachelor’s degree to Kyungpook National University’s medical school.
The daughter transferred to Kyungpook National University Medical School in 2016, when candidate Chung was the head of the Kyungpook National University Hospital Medical Center (vice president), and the son passed the special screening for transfer to Kyungpook National University Medical School in 2017, when candidate Chung was the director.
It was found that the daughter and son had a history of volunteering at Kyungpook National University Hospital before transferring. With this in mind, the Democratic Party points out that it seems to be an easy ‘specialization’ by using his father’s personal connections with the intention of transferring to Kyungpook National University’s medical school.
Since the issue of children’s education is directly related to fairness issues that the ‘2030 generation’ is particularly sensitive to, some say that this controversy overlaps with the case of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, who was charged with corruption in the entrance exam for his daughter.
The daughter of former Minister Cho and the child of candidate Chung have in common that an unfair controversy arose in the course of their education to become a doctor.
The Democratic Party visited Kyungpook National University Hospital in Daegu on the same day to confirm these allegations in person.
Seven members of the National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee and Education Committee urged universities and hospitals to promptly submit materials related to the transfer examination of candidate Chung’s child at a meeting with Kyungpook National University President Hong Won-hwa, Kyungpook National University Hospital President Kim Yong-rim, and Kyungpook National University College of Medicine Dean Park Tae-in.
The Democratic Party leadership also concentrated its efforts on highlighting the suspicions of the ‘father chance’ of the children of candidate Chung.
At the National Assembly meeting, Park Ji-hyeon, chairman of the joint emergency countermeasures committee, mentioned the allegations of candidate Chung and said, “If (Yoon-elect) does not apply the standards applied to former Minister Cho to himself or his aides, the people will come forward and judge.”
Park Hong-geun, the floor leader, also said, “I’m not going to close my eyes and cover my ears because I’m a friend of 40 years.”
The Presidential Transition Committee took defense, saying, “The facts have not been confirmed.”
Nevertheless, within the power of the people, who should play the role of a ‘shield’ at the hearing, there was also a disturbing current inside.
At a press conference in Toongui-dong, Jongno-gu, the elected spokesperson Bae Hyun-jin said in the morning of the same day, “Candidate Chung himself is very proud of himself and shows confidence that he can make a statement.” .
Regarding candidate Chung, Seong-dong Kwon said, “Once we watch the hearing process, and if it is judged that it does not meet the public’s expectations, then we will go ahead and make a decision.
