Since Moon tapped the 48-year-old professor at Pohang University of Science and Technology, to lead the newly minted ministry last month, criticism has raged over his past remarks and publications.

One of the disputed remarks was that South Korea was founded in 1948, a view strongly advocated by the ousted former leader Park Geun-hye. Moon insists the national foundation dates back to 1919, when Korea's provisional government was established in Shanghai during Japan's colonial rule.

Park was also attacked over his past activity as a member of the Korea Association for Creation Research, an entity that some argue denies evolution theory and specializes in creation science. 

The nominee has also come under fire for tax evasion in 2015, for which he apologized during his hearing Monday.

Opposition parties' disapproval of Park put the presidential office on edge and they escalated calls for overhauling the personnel vetting process.

"We don't have any comments to make right now... We will watch the situation for the time being," a presidential official told Yonhap News Agency over the phone, declining to be named.

Since Moon's inauguration in May, personnel issues have continued to bedevil him.

The president's previous picks for the justice and labor ministers, and a court justice designate, renounced their nominations amid public disapproval. Two top security and science officials also bowed out amid controversies over their qualifications. (Yonhap)