Lee's Scheduled Debate on Children's Study Abroad Funds on the 23rd
Park's Allegations Delay Intelligence Committee Formation, Raising Concerns of Setbacks
[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] As the National Assembly adopted the hearing plan for Lee In-young, the nominee for Minister of Unification, the opposition party has announced a 'thorough scrutiny,' signaling anticipated difficulties. The United Future Party has raised suspicions against Lee, a nominee for the diplomatic and security line, and Park Ji-won, the nominee for the Director of the National Intelligence Service, promising a 'microscopic examination.'
Song Young-gil, Chairman of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, is greeting independent lawmaker Kim Tae-ho at the full meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on the 14th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
The National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee held a plenary meeting at 10 a.m. on the 14th and adopted the hearing plan and the request for submission of hearing materials for the nominee. The committee will conduct the hearing for the nominee at 10 a.m. on the 23rd.
The United Future Party is engaged in a dispute over the submission of materials related to the nominee's children. Initially, it was expected that Lee, who was formerly the floor leader of the 20th National Assembly, would pass the hearing smoothly, but the United Future Party is preparing to launch an offensive.
Kim Ki-hyun, a United Future Party member of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, claimed that requests for materials regarding the source of funds for the nominee's children's studies in Switzerland and their fulfillment of military service obligations were rejected. On the morning of the same day on YTN radio, Rep. Kim emphasized again, "We requested materials immediately after the nominee was announced. The process of going to study in Switzerland is suspicious, and although it is said that the degree program was completed, the nominee has not confirmed that part." In response, the Ministry of Unification stated the day before that related materials would be submitted once prepared.
The situation is similar for nominee Park. On the 7th, United Future Party member Ha Tae-kyung sharply told the nominee, "Submit a letter of reflection before coming to the hearing." Allegations of receiving large donations have also been raised through media reports.
Moreover, the formation of the Intelligence Committee is also facing setbacks. The hearing for the nominee for the Director of the National Intelligence Service requires the formation of the Intelligence Committee for questioning. According to the National Assembly Act, the Intelligence Committee is formed by the Speaker of the National Assembly after consulting with the Deputy Speaker, based on candidate recommendations from the floor leaders of both ruling and opposition parties. However, the United Future Party is delaying the formation by refusing to elect the Deputy Speaker. The chief negotiators of both parties plan to continue negotiations aiming to elect the Intelligence Committee Chairperson at the plenary session on the 16th. Some speculate that the Intelligence Committee might be formed and the hearing for nominee Park conducted regardless of the election of the opposition party's Deputy Speaker.
Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, stated at the floor leaders' meeting on the 14th, "We will soon hold a plenary session to elect the Intelligence Committee Chairperson and complete the hearing for the nominee for the Director of the National Intelligence Service within the legal deadline," adding, "We will also conduct hearings for the Minister of Unification, the Commissioner of the National Police Agency, and the Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission without any setbacks."
According to the Hearing Act, the National Assembly must complete the hearings and adopt the progress report by the 27th. If the deadline is missed, the President can request resubmission. Even within the deadline, if the National Assembly fails to adopt the progress report, the President may proceed with the appointment of the nominee.
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