[2022 National Audit] Science and ICT Committee, SK Chairman Chey Tae-won Refuses to Attend... "Unconvincing Reason"

Photo by National Assembly Internet Broadcasting System Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Su-yeon] Jeong Cheong-rae, chairman of the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Communications Committee, said regarding SK Chairman Chey Tae-won's submission of a letter explaining his absence, "Considering the importance of the matter, I once again request that he appear before the National Assembly before the start of the witness examination."

Chairman Jeong said on the 24th during the Ministry of Science and ICT comprehensive audit, "I reviewed Chairman Chey Tae-won's letter explaining his absence, and frankly, it does not seem like a valid reason."

Earlier, Chairman Chey submitted the letter explaining his absence around 11 p.m. on the 21st. The reason given was that amid increased uncertainty in corporate management, the schedule of SK Group's Japan forum overlapped, and as the chairman of the private committee for the Busan Expo bid, he was concerned about the emergence of negative perceptions.

Chairman Jeong requested, "In preparation for the possibility of absence, I ask the floor leaders of both parties to complete consultations this morning on measures such as filing complaints and issuing accompaniment orders."

Yoon Doo-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, criticized, "Is this really an explanation sent to the National Assembly demanding attendance regarding an incident that caused enormous damage to the lives of the people, or is it a statement the chairman sent to company employees? I cannot distinguish. Is the Science and ICT Committee an affiliate of SK Group? This is the first time I have seen such an arrogant letter explaining absence."

Meanwhile, the Science and ICT Committee recessed as the Democratic Party held an emergency party meeting due to the prosecution's search and seizure of the Democratic Party.

Cho Seung-rae, a member of the Democratic Party, explained, "The party convened an emergency party meeting, so we must temporarily suspend the audit, attend the meeting, and then return. I request a recess. Around 9 a.m., 17 people including prosecutors and investigative officers entered the central party office without presenting a warrant or explanation, pretending to be visitors."

Chairman Jeong said, "I will collect the opinions of the floor leaders and call for a brief recess."

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