Lee Hye-hoon, the conservative former lawmaker who has been nominated to lead the newly established Ministry of Planning and Budget, has come under fire over allegations that she verbally abused her aide while serving as a lawmaker.

An audio recording of a 2017 phone call released by a media outlet on Wednesday captured Lee, then a lawmaker affiliated with the conservative Bareun Party, reprimanding an intern for failing to report a news article that mentioned her name.

In the recording, Lee was heard shouting at the intern, asking whether the person could understand Korean, making derogatory comments about the intern’s intelligence, and using demeaning language.

The intern reportedly left the lawmaker’s office about two weeks after the incident.

An official from Lee’s side reportedly said on Thursday that the nominee sincerely apologized and expressed deep remorse for her remarks, adding that she was reflecting deeply on the matter.

The opposition People Power Party previously labeled Lee a “traitor” and vowed to conduct rigorous vetting during her confirmation hearing.