DUP to boycott maritime minister's policy report

The main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) decided Monday to boycott a policy report from the maritime minister in protest of her appointment by President Park Geun-hye despite its strong objection.

Last week, Park installed Yoon Jin-sook as minister of oceans and fisheries despite controversy over her credentials. Yoon is scheduled to give a policy briefing to the parliamentary committee for agricultural and maritime affairs on Tuesday.

After a meeting at the National Assembly, DUP lawmakers on the committee said they will refuse to hear the report in protest against the president's appointment.

Ahead of the appointment, opposition lawmakers and even some ruling Saenuri Party lawmakers had expressed strong reservations about Yoon as she demonstrated little knowledge in her area of expertise during her confirmation hearing early this month.

In South Korea, parliamentary approval is not necessary for a president to appoint Cabinet members, with the exception of the prime minister.

Earlier on Monday, the minister apologized at a policy meeting with ruling party lawmakers for causing "much concern" during the parliamentary confirmation process.

"I will try to work hard to reassure the members (on the parliamentary committee for agricultural and maritime affairs), the staff at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and everyone else," she said. (Yonhap News)