▲ Representative Jin Sung-joon, Chairman of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea
Representative Jin Sung-joon of the Democratic Party of Korea, who serves as chairman of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee, received an official U.S. visa today (October 31).
As a result, the National Defense Committee's visit to the U.S. Pacific Command will proceed as scheduled.
Jin wrote on Facebook today, "I received an entry visa from the U.S. Embassy in Seoul today," adding, "I consider it fortunate that the U.S. Department of State has issued an official visa (A-2) for the chairman of the National Defense Committee of the Republic of Korea's National Assembly, albeit belatedly."
Jin explained, "I will depart tomorrow afternoon and return after thoroughly discussing ways to strengthen bilateral security cooperation and develop a future-oriented alliance, centering on the national interests of the Republic of Korea, with senior U.S. military leadership, including the commander of the Pacific Command."
The National Defense Committee formed a delegation to visit the U.S. Pacific Command from November 1 to 5 to strengthen South Korea–U.S. security cooperation and discuss measures to advance the alliance.
However, concerns had arisen that the schedule might face disruptions after Jin, the committee chairman, was denied a visa.
While the exact reason for the visa refusal at the time was not clearly known, analyses suggested that his 1991 conviction for violating the National Security Act—in which he was sentenced to three years in prison and a three-year suspension of qualifications—may have been a factor.
From the opposition, criticism arose calling the situation a "security disaster that flashed a warning light on the South Korea–U.S. alliance," coming after former Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae had to alter his parliamentary audit schedule due to delays in visa issuance, which was compounded by the failure to issue Committee Chair Jin's U.S. visa.
Jin also wrote on Facebook on October 28 that he had been notified of the visa refusal by the U.S. side, stating, "I express strong regret; this is not merely restricting an individual's entry, but obstructing the official legislative activities of the National Assembly, which represents the people of the Republic of Korea."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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