Lee Seok-hyun, Senior Vice Chairman of the Democratic Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, Expresses Intention to Resign Amid 'Resignation Pressure'

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Lee Seok-hyun, a six-term lawmaker of the Democratic Party and the Senior Vice Chairman of the National Unification Advisory Council, has resigned.

On the 18th, Lee announced in a statement titled "Upon My Resignation" that "I submitted my resignation letter to President Yoon Seok-yeol yesterday."

He explained the reason for his resignation, saying, "In a rule-of-law country, the term of office of public officials as stipulated by law must be respected. However, the Senior Vice Chairman of the National Unification Advisory Council acts as a deputy to the Chairman, the President, both domestically and internationally. I judged that continuing to perform duties without the President's trust or request was unreasonable." He added, "I also considered the difficulties faced by the staff."

The term of the Senior Vice Chairman of the National Unification Advisory Council is two years. Lee, who was appointed in September last year, still had more than one year left in his term. However, the ruling party has criticized Lee, who was appointed by former President Moon Jae-in, for continuing to hold the position in a presidential advisory body.

He continued, "Out of a sincere belief that the new government should not be filled solely with conservative figures, I have insisted on fulfilling the remaining one year of my term. In this context, I hope my successor will be a balanced and rational figure suitable for the nature of the National Unification Advisory Council, which aims for peace and unification."

Lee also urged the National Unification Advisory Council to take the lead on the path toward peace and unification. He said, "The path to peace and unification is not a solo run but a relay that requires baton passing. Following the July 4 North-South Joint Statement, the first inter-Korean summit by President Kim Dae-jung, President Roh Moo-hyun's October 4 Declaration, and President Moon Jae-in's September 19 Declaration, I hope the new government and the National Unification Advisory Council will take the lead to achieve significant progress in this era. In that regard, I wish success to President Yoon Seok-yeol and his administration."

He emphasized, "The ultimate means of North Korea's denuclearization is diplomatic methods. In the context of a new Cold War international situation, while strengthening security through the South Korea-U.S. alliance, we have the responsibility to create an atmosphere where dialogue among South Korea, North Korea, and the U.S. can take place, opening the way to denuclearization and peace."