[Anchor]

Representative Jung Chung-rae of the Democratic Party, who was scheduled to leave for the United States for a parliamentary audit, abruptly changed his destination to Europe after delays in the issuance of his U.S. visa. Various speculations have emerged across the political circle regarding the visa delay for the heavyweight lawmaker, who previously served as the leader of the ruling party. The Democratic Party immediately expressed regret to the U.S. government, while the People Power Party sharpened its criticism, claiming that "South Korea-U.S. relations are spiraling into the worst situation."

Reporter Go Jeong-hyeon reports first.

[Reporter]

Representative Jung Chung-rae of the Democratic Party, a member of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, was scheduled to depart for the United States in two days for a parliamentary audit of diplomatic missions, including the South Korean Embassy in the U.S.

Yesterday (October 8), he announced on social media that he had "received a report that my U.S. visa is 'under ongoing review,'" adding, "Unable to wait any longer, I decided to go to Europe for the parliamentary audit."

Within the Democratic Party, leader Kim Min-seok released a statement saying, "I express deep regret over the delay in visa issuance for the former leader of the ruling party." The party also issued an official commentary expressing regret to the U.S. government, stating that restricting even an allied nation's parliamentary audit "does not align with the future-oriented values of the South Korea-U.S. alliance."

Representative Shin Jeong-hoon criticized on social media, saying, "If this is taking issue with his past record of anti-American protests," referring to when Representative Jung was penalized for occupying the U.S. Embassy in South Korea in 1989, "it is unfair political retaliation."

On the other hand, the People Power Party took a sharp tone, asserting that South Korea-U.S. relations are deteriorating to their worst point and that the current administration is responsible.

Representative Na Kyung-won claimed, "This is a fatal breakdown of the South Korea-U.S. alliance brought on by the Lee Jae-myung administration, and a warning to the Republic of Korea." Representative Ahn Cheol-soo pointed out, "Even the former leader of the ruling party was rejected for entry into the United States—is South Korea truly an ally of the U.S.?"

In response to the conservative opposition raising the theory of a 'rift in the South Korea-U.S. alliance,' Representative Jung Chung-rae wrote on social media, "Hasty conclusions and extreme claims do not help the South Korea-U.S. alliance or national interests."

This afternoon, regarding the reason behind the delay in Representative Jung's visa issuance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "It is a matter that the U.S. side does not disclose," adding, "It is inappropriate to link an individual visa matter to overall South Korea-U.S. relations."

(Camera: Lee Seung-hwan | Video Editing: Lee Seung-jin | Graphics: Kang Yoon-jung)