Democratic Peace Advisory Council Appoints Over 520 Advisory Members Amid 'Reshuffle Controversy'

Over 520 By-Elections... Largest Scale Since Yoon Administration Inauguration
Full Revamp Expected Aligned with 21st Term Launch in First Half

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] The National Unification Advisory Council has begun the process of supplementing advisory members following controversy over a 'personnel reshuffle.'

The National Unification Advisory Council announced on the 30th that it has newly appointed about 520 advisory members. This is the largest scale of supplementary appointments since the launch of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, and the term of the newly appointed advisory members will expire on August 31, coinciding with the end of the remaining term of the 20th session.

Seok Dong-hyun, Secretary General of the National Unification Advisory Council Photo by Yonhap News

According to the National Unification Advisory Council, there are a total of about 20,000 advisory members, including 16,100 domestic members and 3,900 overseas members. This supplementary appointment is to fill vacancies caused by resignations and other reasons after the launch of the 20th session, in accordance with Article 11, Paragraph 2 of the National Unification Advisory Council Act. On the 31st of this month, 280 new advisory members will receive their appointment letters, and the remaining members will go through the appointment process next month. The appointment letters will be presented by Kim Kwan-yong, the Senior Vice Chairman of the National Unification Advisory Council, on behalf of the chairman, President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Earlier, the National Unification Advisory Council was embroiled in controversy over a 'personnel reshuffle' following the launch of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. This was after Secretary-General Seok Dong-hyun stated at the inauguration ceremony in October last year that 'advisory members should be reorganized to align with the new government's policy direction.' The National Unification Advisory Council explained that this was intended to mean that appointments should be made appropriately in line with the nature of the presidential advisory body.

Secretary-General Seok Dong-hyun explained, "The full reorganization of the National Unification Advisory Council advisory members will be carried out in the first half of the year in line with the launch of the 21st session on September 1," adding, "This time, only vacancies were filled with individuals who can advise and propose on the new government's unification policy."