Nominee for Minister of Planning and Budget, Lee Hye-hoon, whose nomination was withdrawn. [Yonhap News]

The People Power Party stated on the 25th that it was a "natural outcome" after President Lee Jae-myung withdrew the nomination of Lee Hye-hoon as the candidate for Minister of Planning and Budget.

They also demanded an apology from President Lee, stating that the Blue House failed in its vetting process.

Floor Leader Choi Eun-seok told reporters at the National Assembly, "The hypocrisy and greed of candidate Lee were starkly revealed during the confirmation hearing, and the raised allegations were not resolved at all," adding, "The withdrawal of the nomination, though late, is a very natural and common-sense result."

He continued, "There is a big difference between vetting a member of the National Assembly and a cabinet minister," pointing out, "Even though she served three terms as a legislator (in a conservative party), the verification of candidate Lee's integrity and qualifications was not effectively carried out, and this was the first proper verification."

Park Soo-young, the opposition party's coordinator for the National Assembly's Finance and Economy Planning Committee, sarcastically wrote on Facebook, "Did you not even give her a chance to resign voluntarily after she switched from the conservative side?" and "The responsibility for vetting 'Lee Jae-myung's PICK' lies with Lee Jae-myung."

Rep. Park added, "The withdrawal of the nomination is a matter of course and a natural progression. However, the Blue House has not offered a single word of apology for the failed personnel vetting," and stated, "The public is angry, but they are mistakenly blaming the conservative party."

He continued, "President Lee mobilized the Senior Secretary to the President for Civil Affairs, the National Police Agency, the National Intelligence Service, the National Tax Service, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, yet failed to detect any wrongdoings such as tax evasion on gifts, preferential treatment in his son's college admissions, fraudulent subscription, or real estate speculation, let alone his alleged abuse of power. Isn't President Lee as shameless as the nominee? He should repent for not doing any vetting at all, engrossed in 'deceptive politics'."

The People Power Party also demanded an investigation into candidate Lee and follow-up measures from the Blue House.

Rep. Bae Hyun-jin wrote on Facebook, "It was going to be a short, disastrous drama like this. Looking at the confirmation hearing, it should not end with a withdrawal but lead to an investigation."

Rep. Ju Jin-woo also wrote on Facebook, "The apartment subscription system needs to be reorganized. Relying solely on the applicant's resident registration will not allow us to filter out 'second and third Lee Hye-hoons'," adding, "The personnel vetting system also needs to be thoroughly revised."