Chang's ethics focus of 2d day of hearing

The National Assembly ended its two-day confirmation hearing on Prime Minister-designate Chang Sang on Tuesday, with lawmakers seeking definitive answers to questions on her alleged real estate speculation and ethical and moral guideposts.

"When the confirmation committee asked if you have ever had a U.S. green card, you sent a written reply saying that you have not," Representative Lee Ju-young of the Grand National Party said. "Later, you said the reply was written by your secretary and you didn't read it. You've lied twice."

"I never lied about the green card question," Ms. Chang replied, saying it was a mistake by her secretary.

Another Grand National, Park Jong-hee, asked Ms. Chang if she had signed the letters sent to media companies that claimed she had graduated from the graduate school of theology at Princeton University. Ms. Chang admitted that she signed the letters, which she had previously said her secretary signed. After Ms. Chang was named prime minister, allegations surfaced that she embellished her education record.

Representative Shim Jae-chul of the GNP said that Ms. Chang reported three times that she had moved in order to speculate on real estate. "When you don't live in an area, but say that you do, that is filing false information," Mr. Shim said.

Ms. Chang said she did not know about the registrations because her family's assets were managed by her mother-in-law.

Kim Yeong-cheol, a Justice Ministry official, testified that Ms. Chang's eldest son was not forced to choose between U.S. or Korean citizenship. Ms. Chang had said her son had no choice but to give up his Korean citizenship.

Political watchers criticized the hearings for failing to evaluate Ms. Chang's ability to govern because of the focus on her ethical record.

The National Assembly will vote on confirming Ms. Chang's nomination on Wednesday.

by Song Sang-hoon