Chung Ho-young abandons health minister nomination

Health Minister nominee Chung Ho-young prepares to speak about favoritism allegations in regards to his two children on April 17. Chung withdrew as health minister nominee on Monday. [YONHAP]

Chung Ho-young abandoned his nomination as health minister Monday night as controversy over his two children failed to die, raising concerns over a leadership vacuum that could disrupt major decisions in health and welfare.

Chung withdrew his nomination in a statement released around 9:30 p.m. Monday, saying, "I will serve as a small foundation for the success of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration and cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties.

“I proved many allegations to be false, but apart from that, there have been parts that failed to meet the public's expectations,” Chung explained, “and I would like to humbly accept such criticism.”

He added, “Now I will return to the community as a medical expert to support the success of the Yoon administration.”

The withdrawal came 43 days after Chung was nominated on April 10. He was the second ministerial nominee to walk away from the Yoon Suk-yeol cabinet following Kim In-chul, who withdrew his education minister nomination after 20 days of controversy.

Recognized as a medical expert, Chung helped quash a Covid-19 outbreak in Daegu in early 2020 by operating the country's first Covid-19 residential treatment center.

Chung finished a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly on May 3, yet parliamentary confirmation hearing reports failed to be approved. Chung was accused of nepotism or using his position to help his two children get ahead, known colloquially as the “appa (daddy) chance.”

Chung was accused of arranging special treatment for his two children when they applied to Kyungpook National University Medical School in 2017 and 2018. At the time, Chung was vice president and president of Kyungpook National University Hospital. He also faced allegations that he used his position to get his son an exemption from active-duty military service. Chung has denied the claims.

The nominee was under pressure to step down from the Democratic Party (DP) and also from President Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP). The president remained reticent on the decision on Chung’s appointment until Monday, saying he needed “a little more time”.

Former Minister of Health and Welfare Kwon Deok-cheol resigned May 17. The health ministry is being operated under two vice ministers, including the newly appointed first vice minister Cho Kyu-hong and second vice minister Lee Ki-il.

Regarding Covid-related policies, the ministry is trying to decide whether to lift the seven-day quarantine for Covid-19 patients, which was extended for another four weeks until June 20. Health authorities also warned of a resurgence of the virus in the summer, which could peak between September and October.

Vice ministers Cho and Lee held an emergency joint executive meeting on Tuesday morning and asked employees to be disciplined. A new minister is not expected for weeks.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]