Ministry of Unification: "Materials Requested by the National Assembly Regarding Candidate Lee In-young Will Be Submitted When Ready"

Lee In-young, the nominee for Minister of Unification, is responding to reporters' questions on the 6th while heading to the Inter-Korean Summit Headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of Unification stated on the 13th, ahead of the confirmation hearing for nominee Minister Lee In-young, that it "will likely submit the requested materials once they are ready," in response to claims that it refused to provide materials requested by the National Assembly.

At a regular briefing that day, Ministry of Unification spokesperson Yeo Sang-gi addressed the claim made by Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee from the United Future Party, that the Ministry refused to submit materials related to the nominee, saying, "The materials are currently under practical review."

Furthermore, regarding Kim's claim that a Ministry employee said the materials could not be submitted because they were sensitive, spokesperson Yeo rebutted, stating, "After checking with the staff, they said they never made such a statement," and added, "Common sense dictates that a public official cannot say 'we cannot provide the materials' when requested by the National Assembly."

He also added, "Since the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee has not yet been formed, there were likely discussions about the method and timing of submitting the materials."

On the 12th, Assemblyman Kim Ki-hyun claimed on Facebook that he requested materials regarding the source of funds for nominee Lee's children's studies in Switzerland, as well as their military service obligations, but the Ministry of Unification refused, citing sensitivity.