[2022 National Audit] Lee Young on Yoon's Absence from New York Event: "Reported as 'Flexible' Depending on Local Circumstances"

Minister Lee Young of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups is delivering the opening address at the launch ceremony of the Regulatory Free Zone Win-Win Connection held at the Central Post Office in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 27th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] On the 6th, during the National Assembly audit of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the opposition party launched an offensive regarding President Yoon Seok-yeol's absence from the 'Korea-US Startup Summit.'

Kim Yong-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, opened by saying at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups audit held by the National Assembly Industry, Trade, and Energy Committee, "Minister Lee Young presented 'Warm Digital Economy' as a policy direction, but the president seems excessively cold toward SMEs and venture companies."

He then focused on questioning President Yoon's absence from the Korea-US Startup Summit held over two days, from the 20th to 21st of last month in New York, USA.

Rep. Kim pointed out, "Important schedules of the Korea-US Startup Summit for the president were moved to the second day (21st), and the opening ceremony was rescheduled to the last order."

Additionally, Rep. Kim speculated that President Yoon missed the Korea-US Startup Summit event to have a '48-second talk' with U.S. President Joe Biden and asked Minister Lee when he was notified of the president's absence. Minister Lee replied, "I was notified of the absence at 5:35 PM, but I was not given detailed reasons for the absence."

Rep. Kim repeatedly criticized the overall atmosphere of the event, which had a budget of 5.1 billion KRW, and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' response.

Minister Lee explained, "The purpose of the event was to form networks among Korean startups, U.S. venture capital (VC), and global companies," and added, "I was informed that the president's schedule could be flexible depending on local circumstances."

He continued, "There was no program designed centered on the president's attendance. There were only parts for encouragement and support," and answered, "I heard that there could be changes even on the morning of the day."

He said, "It seems that the phrase 'starting the last event' was used instead of 'opening ceremony,'" and added, "About 500 people attended on the second day, and all startup-related programs proceeded normally."

Kim Seong-won, a member of the ruling People Power Party, said, "When the president goes on an overseas trip, the schedule inevitably becomes flexible," and added, "Recently, the president's office invited SME and startup entrepreneurs for a luncheon meeting, and he said he would bring entrepreneurs along on every overseas trip, which I think gave courage."