[22nd Rising Star]⑨ Bu Seung-chan "Cannot Tolerate Injustice... Will Push for National Audit on Presidential Office Relocation"

Editor's NoteThere are 131 first-term lawmakers entering the 22nd National Assembly. This is the lowest number since the 16th National Assembly in 2000, which had 112. The public hopes that amid the minority ruling party and majority opposition party structure, these lawmakers will lead politics of dialogue and compromise to achieve tangible results. We introduce the elected officials expected to bring a fresh breeze to the 22nd National Assembly. ①Park Ji-hye ②Go Dong-jin ③Gwak Sang-eon ④Park Soo-min ⑤Park Chung-kwon ⑥Seo Myung-ok ⑦Lim Mi-ae ⑧Choi Eun-seok ⑨Bu Seung-chan

"There have been many turning points in my life." Bu Seung-chan, elected from the Democratic Party of Korea, described his life as having "struggled" in plain terms. Unlike others, he did not complete 20 years of military service and thus does not receive a pension. Although he entered the Ministry of National Defense as a spokesperson with a guaranteed retirement and overseas training opportunities, he resigned after being involved in the controversy over the alleged visit to the Cheonggong Hannam-dong residence. However, Bu emphasized that he does not regret it, stating, "One should not endure injustice."

Bu Seung-chan, the elected member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving an interview to Asia Economy at the National Assembly on the 14th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Bu graduated from the Air Force Academy and was commissioned in 1993, serving about 20 years in the military. His decision to become a soldier was greatly influenced by his father, a Korean War veteran. Bu said, "My father wanted my older brother to become a soldier, but he could not enter the academy due to physical reasons. My father’s determination to make the second son a soldier combined with our poor family circumstances," he explained.

Life at the Air Force Academy was not easy. The regimented schedule of eating and training felt like being in a chicken coop. However, he gained various experiences that would help in legislative activities. Bu said, "As a soldier, I handled information related to North Korean threats. In legislative work, I have learned through body and mind to analyze and create alternatives after cold judgment." He added, "I have experience briefing commanders and others, so I think I can explain legislative activities well to the public."

In February last year, Bu became embroiled in political controversy after raising suspicions about interference in the selection of the Cheonggong Hannam-dong residence. He emphasized that the background of his exposure was the presidential office’s move to Yongsan. He said, "I wondered if it was possible in a democratic country for President Yoon Seok-yeol to come and order the Ministry of National Defense building to be vacated just four days after his election." He added, "I did not want to be a speaker for unjust power." He also said, "Although it was difficult starting with the search and seizure, I was not lying and had a clear conscience."

Military Veteran Bu Seung-chan: "There Must Be No Mistakes in Defending the Nation"

Bu Seung-chan, the elected member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving an interview to Asia Economy at the National Assembly on the 14th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Bu appeared awkward during photo shoots, showing signs of being a first-term lawmaker. However, as a military veteran, he voiced strong concerns about the Yoon administration’s security policies. He pointed out the need for balanced security policies. He explained, "If security is a cart, one wheel must be dialogue and cooperation, and the other wheel must be strengthening defense capabilities. National security is maintained when dialogue and defense enhancement are in harmony, but such balance is not visible in the Yoon administration." He also said, "In the past Cold War era, there was a bipolar system between the free world and the communist bloc, but now it is a multipolar system. Currently, the U.S. pursues a practical security approach rather than taking responsibility for all countries’ security, so the Yoon administration’s dependence on the U.S. is worrisome."

Bu’s preferred standing committee for activities in the 22nd National Assembly is the National Defense Committee. He said, "There are talks that it will be difficult to participate in the National Defense Committee because I am being prosecuted by the military prosecution for violating the Military Secrets Protection Act," but added, "I want to go to the National Defense Committee and restore the broken defense system." Referring to the Ministry of National Defense’s inclusion of the term 'Dokdo sovereignty dispute' in military mental education materials late last year, he emphasized, "There must be no mistakes in protecting the lives, safety, and territory of the people. No one is held accountable, but Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik and others must be held responsible."

Above all, he raised his voice to conduct a state audit related to the presidential office relocation. Bu said, "All presidential actions must be documented, but President Yoon moved the presidential office without a resolution from the Cabinet while still a president-elect." He added, "We will examine whether laws such as the Act on the Transition of Presidential Power, Government Organization Act, National Finance Act, and the Act on Defense Military Facilities Projects were violated."

He also expressed a desire to reform the flawed structures within the military. Bu said, "As revealed in the case of Corporal Chae, I will push for legislative reforms of the unchecked military judiciary." He added, "They plan to increase the proportion of female soldiers by 2027, but there is no organization in the Ministry of National Defense or Joint Chiefs of Staff to protect women’s rights. The military still respects only male values, and I want to create an opportunity to change this culture."