Budget chief pick pulled amid backlash


President Lee Jae-myung has withdrawn his appointment of Lee Hye-hoon as the newly created Budget Ministry chief, Woo Sang-ho, a presidential secretary said in a televised address yesterday.

The nomination of the former three-time conservative party lawmaker was initially interpreted as an attempt by the liberal president to integrate the nation’s politics, but Lee Hye-hoon has been facing pressure to step down amid allegations of abusive remarks to colleagues and controversial property investments.

She apologised for her past remarks to colleagues during a hearing by lawmakers on Friday. — Reuters

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