Kim Do-eup "COVID absence said to be sick leave but was annual leave"... Lee Yong-gu "Sorry for disruption of National Assembly schedule"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Lee Yong-gu, Vice Minister of Justice, appeared before the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 22nd and stated, "I apologize for causing disruptions to the National Assembly schedule due to health issues."

Lee Yong-gu, Deputy Minister of Justice, is touching his head while attending the plenary session of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly on the 22nd. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

During the Ministry of Justice's business report at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held that day, Kim Do-eup, the opposition party's secretary, criticized Vice Minister Lee for his absence from the National Assembly. Vice Minister Lee did not attend the committee on the 18th due to a high fever, and the meeting on that day was delayed by 40 minutes before eventually being adjourned.

Rep. Kim said, "Minister Park Beom-gye stated that the Vice Minister took sick leave that day, but upon verification, he was actually using annual leave," adding, "This means the Minister was unaware of the reason why the Vice Minister, who must attend the full committee meeting, was absent."

He then referred to the resignation turmoil of Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Shin Hyun-soo, saying, "The media reports that the Minister of Justice bypassed the President and made prosecutorial appointments. I do not believe this, but such reports are circulating," and criticized, "Did a Minister with that level of authority not know the reason for the Vice Minister's absence from the National Assembly?"

Rep. Kim raised his voice, saying, "Because the Vice Minister did not attend the meeting, the full committee meeting could not be held. It was effectively an unauthorized absence," and added, "He must make a statement to the public."

In response, Vice Minister Lee said, "I apologize to the public for causing disruptions due to health issues."

He explained the situation that morning, saying, "I had a high fever accompanied by diarrhea. Although COVID-19 was not confirmed, I could not attend due to quarantine guidelines."

He bowed his head and said, "I sincerely apologize again for the disruption to the National Assembly schedule."

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