The Democratic Party Adopts Lee In-young's Confirmation Report Unilaterally

Minister of Unification nominee Lee In-young is moving to a vehicle after finishing his statement on inter-Korean policy at the Inter-Korean Summit Headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 21st. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The confirmation hearing report for Lee In-young, the nominee for Minister of Unification, was adopted solely by the ruling party.

The National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee held a plenary session on the 24th and passed the "Confirmation Hearing Report on the Nominee for State Council Member (Minister of Unification Lee In-young)." The vote was conducted with participation only from members of the Democratic Party of Korea.

The United Future Party abstained from the vote, citing insufficient submission of personal medical records related to the nominee's son's exemption from military service due to spinal arthritis.

Kim Seok-ki, the United Future Party's floor leader in the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, stated during a procedural speech, "Despite several opportunities to dispel the public concerns regarding the nominee's son's military service controversy, the nominee did not respond, effectively nullifying the confirmation hearing and ignoring the requests of the hearing committee members." He added, "The United Future Party cannot participate in the adoption of the confirmation report," and then left the meeting room.

After the United Future Party's departure, Song Young-gil, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, said, "The confirmation hearing system for state council members is essentially a presidential appointment matter that does not require the National Assembly's consent. Considering the privacy issues of the nominee's child, the National Assembly must fulfill its duty," and proceeded with the adoption of the confirmation report.

With the adoption of the confirmation report on this day, the nominee is expected to be appointed by President Moon Jae-in and assume office as minister around next week.

The nominee is a four-term lawmaker who served as the floor leader of the Democratic Party during the 20th National Assembly and has served on the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee in both the first and second halves of the term. He was also assigned to the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee in the 21st National Assembly. In 2018, he served as the chairman of the Special Committee on Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation.

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