Minister Nominee Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT Faces Controversy Over 'Overseas Business Trip Accompanied by Family'

Democratic Party Lawmaker Jo Seung-rae Points Out Issues
Likely to Become Key Topics in Confirmation Hearings

Minister of Science and ICT nominee Lee Jong-ho is attending the press conference announcing the appointment of ministerial candidates for eight ministries of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration at the Presidential Transition Committee in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 10th, responding to reporters' questions. Photo by Transition Committee Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Lee Jong-ho, the nominee for Minister of Science and ICT, has been embroiled in an ethical controversy after it was confirmed that he was accompanied by his family during overseas business trips.

According to the office of Democratic Party lawmaker Cho Seung-rae on the 22nd, Lee, while serving as a professor at Seoul National University, took a six-day business trip to Japan from June 4 to 9, 2017, to attend a conference, accompanied by his son and wife. At that time, his son Lee was a student on leave of absence after completing military service in KATUSA (Korean Augmentation To the United States Army) in May 2017, enrolled in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Seoul National University, the same as his father.

Lee also took his spouse along on a nine-day business trip to San Francisco, USA, in December 2017 to attend the International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM).

According to lawmaker Cho’s office, records show that Lee’s family members also entered and exited the countries during the same periods, indicating that they accompanied him throughout the trips. Furthermore, Lee stayed in the same accommodations as his family at each destination. The Japan trip was sponsored by a company for research purposes, while the US trip was financially supported by Seoul National University.

Such family accompaniment during overseas business trips for conference attendance has continuously sparked ethical debates, as even if transportation costs are paid out of pocket, lodging expenses and other costs settled later may constitute 'free riding.' The current Minister of Science and ICT, Lim Hye-sook, faced similar controversy during her confirmation hearing in April last year and was urged to resign by the People Power Party.

Lawmaker Cho Seung-rae emphasized, "The position of minister is one where the distinction between public and private matters is especially important," adding, "The People Power Party also demanded resignation of candidates for similar reasons during past hearings. Lee’s nomination must be thoroughly scrutinized with strict standards."

In response, a Ministry of Science and ICT official explained, "Lee’s business trip expenses such as meals were settled according to Seoul National University regulations, and airfare was reimbursed based on actual costs. Family members’ airfare was paid out of pocket, and whether additional lodging costs were incurred has not been confirmed."

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