Red Cross President-elect In Yo-han faces appointment hurdles as opposition leader voices concerns

Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok has reportedly urged President Lee Jae-myung to reconsider the appointment of former lawmaker In Yo-han as the president of the Korean Red Cross. The plea was conveyed during a private conversation between Kim and President Lee after a dinner with the party's newly elected leadership.

According to party spokesperson Park Sung-joon, Kim Min-seok stated that he relayed the party's internal and external opinions to the president, suggesting that appointing In Yo-han would be inadvisable. Park mentioned that the party leader had gathered considerable feedback before making the request.

In Yo-han, who was recently elected as the next president of the Korean Red Cross, has been a controversial figure. He has drawn criticism for remarks such as expressing "understanding for President Yoon [Suk-yeol] in his heart" regarding the former president's emergency martial law declaration, and for his past advocacy for medical privatization. These controversies have led to scrutiny from political circles and civic groups.