The Democratic Party of Korea urged Chairperson Lee Bae-yong, who is under suspicion of 'money for posts' on the 31st, to "come to the National Assembly and clarify to the public whether the allegations are true." Lee is suspected of being appointed Chairperson of the National Education Commission in exchange for providing money to Kim Keon-hee.
The Education Committee of the Democratic Party stated in a commentary that "as a ministerial agency head, the Chairperson should take responsible actions such as clarification and resolution, rather than going into hiding."
It continued, "The absence of a chairperson from National Assembly meetings is only allowed in limited cases such as official duties, and is never permitted for unfounded 'personal matters,'" adding, "Naturally, the reason for absence submitted by the chairperson did not receive approval from the Chairperson of the National Assembly's Budget and Accounts Committee."
Lee is reported to have gone into hiding from the 28th, when a special investigation team's search of his home took place, until September 5. The full meeting of the Special Committee on Budget & Accounts is on September 1 during his vacation. Lee received vacation approval from the presidential office on the 29th. However, the presidential office clarified that "the obligation to attend the National Assembly and respond is not exempted."
Democratic Party education commissioners also stated, "Even if Chairperson Lee is on vacation, he is not exempt from his obligation to attend the National Assembly," adding that "as the chairperson of the National Education Commission, he must attend the full meeting of the National Assembly's Budget and Accounts Committee on the 1st."
Lee is suspected of being appointed to the ministerial position of Chairperson of the National Education Commission in September 2022 in exchange for providing money to Kim. Previously, the special investigation team for Kim Keon-hee discovered a letter believed to have been written by Lee to former President Yoon Suk-yeol along with a gold turtle from the safe of Kim's mother, Choi Eun-soon, and conducted a search of Lee's home.