The National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee held a comprehensive audit on October 27, during which lawmakers engaged in a heated debate over the delay of a U.S. visa for Jeong Cheong-rae, a former leader of the Democratic Party.
During the audit, Jeong stated, "This visa issue is a delay, not a rejection." He added, "I moved from the Americas to Europe because I felt the audit might not proceed smoothly."
Jeong expressed his regret to U.S. administrative authorities, stating, "We need to criticize the way U.S. administrative authorities handle their affairs, as it damages our national interests by suggesting that the Korea-U.S. alliance has broken down."
He emphasized that this issue should transcend party lines, saying, "We should not attack our government. I hope my visa issue does not harm the Korea-U.S. alliance."
In support, Hong Gi-won, the Democratic Party's committee secretary, remarked, "We have a strong awareness of the issue," urging committee members to at least criticize the U.S. stance. He pointed out, "To suggest that our government has done something wrong, leading to Jeong's visa denial, is self-deprecating. If there are no disagreements in diplomatic relations, how can we call it an alliance?"
In response, Kim Dae-sik, the secretary of the People Power Party, noted, "This is why we question whether the Korea-U.S. relationship is solid. It is unacceptable for a lawmaker's visa issuance to be delayed during a national audit."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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