"Defense Minister Fled from the People"… Budget Committee, Controversy over Minister Lee Jong-seop's Absence

Kang Hoon-sik "If There Was Willingness to Attend, Schedule Could Have Been Adjusted... Minister's Run"
Song Seok-jun "A Major Plan for National Interest... Unavoidable Circumstances"

The National Assembly's Special Committee on Budget and Accounts engaged in a heated debate on the 30th over Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop's absence. Amid ongoing controversies surrounding the investigation into the death of Marine Corporal Chae Mo, who died in the line of duty during a search operation, and the relocation of General Hong Beom-do's bust at the Korea Military Academy, the controversy intensified over Minister Lee's absence from the Budget Committee, which had been scheduled a month in advance, citing an overseas business trip.

Kang Hoon-sik, the Democratic Party's floor leader on the Budget Committee, stated during a procedural speech, "Minister Lee had planned an overseas trip from the 5th to the 8th of next month, but when it was canceled for reasons unrelated to the National Assembly's schedule, he departed on a flight at 11 a.m. that day," adding, "If Minister Lee had the intention to attend the Budget Committee, he could have considered and avoided the subsequent schedule."

Referring to the fact that the Budget Committee's plenary session schedule had already been set last month, Kang said, "When a bank is insolvent and depositors withdraw their funds, it is called a 'bank run,' but there should be no 'minister run' where a minister flees from the people to avoid criticism of government incompetence."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Democratic Party lawmaker Ki Dong-min also said, "There is evidence that the Yongsan National Security Office intervened in the investigation of Corporal Chae, and just the day before yesterday, there were reports that the President personally gave orders and was enraged. Minister Lee is at the center of this," adding, "I don't know if Minister Lee is faithfully carrying out President Yoon Seok-yeol's orders, but if he is confident, he should be able to debate openly before the public."

In response, the People Power Party criticized the term 'minister run' as excessive. Song Seok-jun, a member of the People Power Party, said, "I deeply regret Minister Lee's absence," but added, "In the case of Poland, a significant foothold for defense exports has been secured, and there are still major plans for national interests, so I hope the unavoidable circumstances are understood." During this, Song initially referred to Minister Lee's trip as a 'pre-inspection ahead of the President's visit to Poland' but later corrected it to 'a follow-up to the previous presidential visit.'

Song also mentioned Minister Lee's long service in the military, saying, "Mocking him with terms like 'minister run' does not look good."

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