[National Assembly Audit Hot Figure] Lee Haemin Focuses on Policy Questions Amid Political Strife in Science Committee

Q&A with Korea Aerospace Administration Chief
Overlapping Methane Propulsion Project Confirmed
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power?Westinghouse Contract
Concerns Raised over Royalties and Certification Issues

"The Korea Aerospace Administration, which serves as a control tower to coordinate inter-ministerial space projects, failed to identify issues in advance and ended up planning overlapping projects."

The National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee audit was marred by controversy over abusive language, but Assemblyman Lee Haemin of the National Innovation Party (pictured) drew attention with his sharp policy questions. On the 16th, during the audit of the Korea Aerospace Administration, the Korea Foundation of Nuclear Safety, and the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, Assemblyman Lee pointed out problems in the Korea Aerospace Administration's methane propulsion system development process.

Through a question-and-answer session with Yoon Youngbin, head of the Korea Aerospace Administration, it was confirmed that the agency had pushed forward with a methane propulsion system development project that overlapped with the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality (DTaQ) due to a lack of legal review and insufficient communication with related organizations. As a result, the agency only realized the duplication belatedly and had to forfeit 5 billion won from this year’s budget.

Although the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee audit that day was disrupted by a dispute over the truth of the "pathetic" text message, Assemblyman Lee was evaluated as having conducted the audit appropriately, based on his prepared materials and questions.

He also distinguished himself as a former Google IT and science industry expert by pointing out that DTaQ was leading the methane propulsion system development without coordination with other ministries, which could make it subject to export controls, and by demanding corrective action.

Assemblyman Lee stated, "It is concerning that DTaQ is leading the development of methane engines, which could be used for reusable launch vehicles, on its own. Approval from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration or the Ministry of National Defense is necessary, and the project could become subject to export controls. One party may have to accept the sunset of its project, but if the two agencies cooperate quickly, the problem can be minimized."

Lee Hae-min, a member of the National Assembly Innovation Party (right), is receiving the Excellence in Legislation Award at the 5th National Assembly Legislative Awards Ceremony held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on June 11 this year. Photo by Yonhap News

He also drew attention to the contract between Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and Westinghouse. While the Democratic Party highlighted the contract as a humiliating agreement, Assemblyman Lee pressed for the "framework of the contract," scrutinizing issues such as intellectual property rights (IP), safety standards, and verification and certification for third-country projects, and pointed out the increasing dependence on royalties, approvals, and certifications for exports. He said, "With discussions on establishing a joint venture still unresolved, I question what guarantees we have secured," and demanded submission of the criteria for determining design materials, manufacturing process codes, and standards, respectively.

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