National Assembly Elects Lee Won-wook as Science and ICT Committee Chair and Kim Min-seok as Welfare Committee Chair

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] The National Assembly has replaced the Chairpersons of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee and the Health and Welfare Committee with Lee Won-wook and Kim Min-seok, both members of the Democratic Party of Korea.

On the 24th, the National Assembly held a by-election during the plenary session and passed the election proposals for these members.

Previously, the Democratic Party had elected Park Kwang-on as Chairperson of the Science and Broadcasting Committee and Han Jeong-ae as Chairperson of the Welfare Committee. However, with the inauguration of the Lee Nak-yeon leadership, they were appointed as party secretary-general and policy committee chairman respectively, leading to their resignations.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Before the by-election in the plenary session, the resignation proposals for these members were approved. The People Power Party attended the session for the passage of bills related to overcoming the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) but did not participate in the approval of the replacement and left the session.

Lee Won-wook, elected as Chairperson of the Science and Broadcasting Committee, said, "This committee has the mission to complete media reform along with science and technology, which are the foundations of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Media reform is a matter for the future of the Republic of Korea beyond partisan logic. The committee will fulfill its role in leading the science and technology revolution and completing media reform."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim Min-seok, elected as Chairperson of the Welfare Committee, said, "There was an 18-year gap before I returned to the National Assembly. During that time, I came to believe that politics is about viewing the future from the perspective of the vulnerable." He added, "I will faithfully carry out the will of both ruling and opposition members and the people to ensure the success of K-quarantine, the establishment of a public healthcare system, and the smooth progress of designing a 21st-century welfare system including basic income."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.