US State Department rejects Jin Seong-jun's visa: "Trump administration puts US interests first"

The U.S. State Department said it did not comment on individual issues regarding Jin Seong-jun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and chairman of the National Assembly's Defense Committee, not receiving a U.S. visa, but stated that the Donald Trump administration prioritizes U.S. interests.

In response to a question regarding Rep. Jin's visa processing on the 29th (local time), a U.S. State Department spokesperson said, "The Trump administration continues to prioritize the United States and its interests by thoroughly enforcing U.S. immigration laws and ensuring lawful movement through the visa process."

“The State Department reviews each visa application on a case-by-case basis,” a State Department spokesperson added. “Generally, we do not comment on the Department’s actions with respect to specific visa matters.”

Rep. Jin applied for a visa the day before to visit the U.S. Pacific Command, but was rejected, and pointed out, "The United States' refusal to issue a visa to the Chairman of the National Defense Commission is an obstruction to the official legislative activities of the National Assembly, which represents the people of the Republic of Korea."

Previously, Democratic Party lawmaker Jeong Cheong-rae, a member of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, also prepared to leave the country to audit the US embassy during the government audit, but due to delays in issuance of US visas, the audit region was changed to Europe.