The Democratic Party condemned on September 23 the alleged leak of a confidential report regarding U.S. investments presented in the National Assembly, calling it "an unacceptable criminal act akin to industrial espionage or spying."
Kim Min-seok, the party leader, made the remarks following a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, stating, "U.S. investment is a matter of national interest and public concern."
Supreme Council member Jeon Yong-ki characterized the incident as a serious act of treason, asserting that immediate and severe measures, including legal action, are necessary. Jang Cheol-min and Oh Se-hee, members of the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, and Energy Committee, also held a press conference to announce their intention to respond strongly.
Jang pointed out that after the confidential report was presented the previous day, illegal transcripts containing the report's details were disseminated to some media outlets, leading to extensive coverage of the U.S. negotiations. He emphasized that this is a blatant violation of the National Assembly Act and a heinous crime against national interests.
He vowed to bring those responsible for leaking the transcripts to justice, warning that if the leaker is found to be a member of the National Assembly, they should immediately resign from their position.
The government had reported the status of U.S. investments in a closed session of the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, and Energy Committee and the Finance and Economy Committee the day before. The first project reported was a gas combined cycle power plant in Texas, while the second and third projects under consideration included nuclear power plant construction and the development of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Alaska.
Following the reports, some media outlets detailed the U.S. investment matters, raising suspicions that a participant in the closed meeting may have recorded and leaked the information. Article 118 of the National Assembly Act prohibits the disclosure of closed meeting contents. According to Article 155 of the same law, if a member of the National Assembly discloses information from a closed meeting, they may face disciplinary action through the Ethics Special Committee.
The U.S. Investment Act also mandates that the government report to the National Assembly before initiating discussions with the U.S., while imposing a duty of confidentiality on members of the relevant committees.
Jang stated, "Given the circumstances, it seems more likely that a member of the National Assembly, rather than a staff member, is involved. If any member of the National Assembly has caused a breach of national interests, immediate resignation is warranted. The investigation should clarify who leaked the information and through what channels."
Kim Min-seok, the party leader, made the remarks following a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, stating, "U.S. investment is a matter of national interest and public concern."
Supreme Council member Jeon Yong-ki characterized the incident as a serious act of treason, asserting that immediate and severe measures, including legal action, are necessary. Jang Cheol-min and Oh Se-hee, members of the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, and Energy Committee, also held a press conference to announce their intention to respond strongly.
Jang pointed out that after the confidential report was presented the previous day, illegal transcripts containing the report's details were disseminated to some media outlets, leading to extensive coverage of the U.S. negotiations. He emphasized that this is a blatant violation of the National Assembly Act and a heinous crime against national interests.
He vowed to bring those responsible for leaking the transcripts to justice, warning that if the leaker is found to be a member of the National Assembly, they should immediately resign from their position.
The government had reported the status of U.S. investments in a closed session of the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, and Energy Committee and the Finance and Economy Committee the day before. The first project reported was a gas combined cycle power plant in Texas, while the second and third projects under consideration included nuclear power plant construction and the development of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Alaska.
Following the reports, some media outlets detailed the U.S. investment matters, raising suspicions that a participant in the closed meeting may have recorded and leaked the information. Article 118 of the National Assembly Act prohibits the disclosure of closed meeting contents. According to Article 155 of the same law, if a member of the National Assembly discloses information from a closed meeting, they may face disciplinary action through the Ethics Special Committee.
The U.S. Investment Act also mandates that the government report to the National Assembly before initiating discussions with the U.S., while imposing a duty of confidentiality on members of the relevant committees.
Jang stated, "Given the circumstances, it seems more likely that a member of the National Assembly, rather than a staff member, is involved. If any member of the National Assembly has caused a breach of national interests, immediate resignation is warranted. The investigation should clarify who leaked the information and through what channels."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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