Confirmation hearings for President Moon Jae-in's cabinet picks continue at the National Assembly today.... with nominees tapped to head the ministries of unification, culture and oceans in the hot seat.<br />The ruling party has called the candidates fit for the job,... citing their background and experience.<br />However, the opposition bloc claims the candidates are the worst pick ever,... and that it will closely screen them.<br />Under spotlight, in particular, is unification minister nominee Kim Yeon-chul,... over his past remarks regarding inter-Korean developments.<br />He has referred to the death of a South Korean national at a mountain resort in North Korea in 2008 as a "rite of passage,".... while denying that North Korea was behind the sinking of a South Korean warship in 2010.<br />But these confirmation hearings are seen as a formality,... because cabinet appointments,... with the exception of the prime minister,... don't require parliamentary endorsement. <br />
