A much-overdue and highly anticipated confirmation hearing for justice minister nominee Cho Kuk is underway at the National Assembly.
A key point of contention will be ethical standards,... given mounting allegations regarding Cho and his family,... such as making suspicious investments in a private equity fund... as well as alleged fraud involving his daughter's college admission.
In his opening remarks,... Cho apologized to the people, saying the experience has made him reflect on his past.
Take a listen.
"I am well aware of the public criticism, and I have looked back on my life. My words and actions have not been in sync. While I called for fairness and justice,... I didn't realize the benefits my family has enjoyed might not be fair. I will do my best to clear up these allegations."
, . . .

The ruling party is expected to defend Cho and claim that he is fit to carry out the administration's judicial and prosecutorial reform,... while the opposition bloc is expected to make the case that Cho's nomination should be scrapped.
A two-day hearing was initially scheduled for earlier this week,... but was called off because of intense wrangling over whether Cho's family would be present to testify.
For Friday's hearing,... rival parties agreed to summon 11 witnesses,... who do not include Cho's family.
The hearing, however, is ultimately a formality... as his appointment does not require parliamentary approval.