Candidate Lee In-young's Side: "Son Underwent Re-examination for Active Duty... Again Received Military Exemption"

"If It Doesn't Work, Request for Social Service" Explanation from Candidate Lee's Side

Lee In-young, the nominee for Minister of Unification, is making a statement regarding his appointment as minister at the National Assembly on the 3rd. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The camp of Lee In-young, nominee for Minister of Unification, explained that regarding his son's military service exemption, he wished to enlist in active duty and underwent a physical examination again but was once again granted an exemption.

On the 17th, Cho Hye-sil, deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, stated at a regular briefing that Lee's nomination hearing preparation team had conveyed this information.

Lee's son was diagnosed with "ankylosing spondylitis" during a physical examination in April 2014 and was classified by the Military Manpower Administration as Grade 5 wartime labor service, which exempts him from military duty.

Lee's camp explained that medical experts stated that patients with ankylosing spondylitis can manage their condition with medication and exercise therapy without significant problems in daily life. Therefore, Lee's son, while receiving pain treatment, hoped to serve in active duty as much as possible. In March 2016, he submitted an application to the Military Manpower Administration to change his military service status and underwent another physical examination. However, after a CT scan was performed again by the Military Manpower Administration and no improvement was found, he was once again classified as Grade 5 wartime labor service.

Lee's camp said, "Although the failure to fully complete military service was due to illness, it remains a lifelong burden on the heart," adding, "Lee's son hoped to enlist in active duty to the extent of applying for a change in military service status but was unable to fulfill this wish."

Furthermore, Lee's camp conveyed that in the military service status change application submitted to the Military Manpower Administration on March 17, 2016, Lee's son requested a change in the exemption decision and personally wrote the phrase, "I hope for active duty, but if not possible, at least social service."

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