Kwon Oh-eul, the Minister of Veterans Affairs, left a national assembly hearing on October 6 after experiencing dizziness.
According to Yonhap News, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs announced around 3 p.m. that "Minister Kwon has not been feeling well since the morning and is unable to attend the afternoon session of the national audit," adding, "He is currently receiving treatment at the National Veterans Hospital, and further details need to be confirmed."
Minister Kwon attended the national assembly's audit session for the Ministry of Veterans Affairs as a witness starting at 10 a.m. During the morning questioning, he referred to a landmine explosion incident in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) along the western front as a "provocation." He also stated, "The Ministry will actively assess the needs of the injured soldiers in the future."
When asked if he found President Lee Jae-myung's characterization of the incident as an 'unfortunate accident' appropriate, he replied, "It is not appropriate for a minister to comment on the president's remarks."
However, after the morning session concluded and the assembly was in recess, Minister Kwon informed his staff that he was feeling unwell. The ministry then sought the assembly's understanding and transported him to the hospital. It was reported that his condition was not serious enough to require an ambulance.
In the afternoon session of the national audit, Deputy Minister Kang Yoon-jin is expected to attend in his place.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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