Lee Hye-hoon, the nominee to head the newly established Ministry of Planning and Budget, came under intensifying political pressure Saturday to step down as suspicions of her husband's past real estate speculation emerged following revelations of her mistreating an intern while serving as a lawmaker. Lee, a former three-term lawmaker from the conservative bloc, has drawn criticism from both the ruling and opposition parties since her surprise nomination by President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday. Some members of the ruling Democratic Party have voiced discomfort over the economist-turned-politician's past remarks supporting former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid, while the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) has branded her a traitor. The PPP has stepped up its offensive ahead of Lee's confirmation hearing, citing recently disclosed audio recordings of Lee abusively reprimanding an intern during her time in the National Assembly. On Saturday, PPP Rep. Joo Jin-woo also claimed that Lee's husband engaged in real estate speculation by purchasing large tracts of land near Inc