“Reveal the members of the National Electric Power Commission” and “The government won’t do anything either.” Conflict between National Power and Kim Seong-hwan (comprehensive)

At the National Assembly's audit of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment on the 6th by the National Assembly's Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee, a conflict broke out between the People Power Party and Climate Minister Kim Seong-hwan over whether to disclose the list of committees for establishing the 12th Basic Electricity Supply and Demand Plan (Basic Electricity Plan).

Rep. Lee Cheol-gyu of the People Power Party said, "I requested the submission of a list of members for the 12th National Assembly, but received the response that 'it is difficult because unnecessary controversies such as verification of member qualifications may arise,'" and added, "It is the responsibility of the National Assembly to check who participates in the National Assembly, which establishes national policy."

In response, Minister Kim, who served as a member of the Democratic Party of Korea's National Assembly, responded, "I don't remember receiving the list of members of the 11th National Assembly during the Yoon Seok-yeol government when I was a member of the Industrial and Energy Committee," and added, "It is said that the list of members has not been made public since the past."

He also said, “It may even go as far as lobbying…” This is interpreted as a concern that if the list is made public, some kind of pressure will be placed on individual members.

Then, Rep. Na Kyung-won of the People Power Party pointed out, "The reason for refusing to submit data is when (the data in question) is an important matter related to national security," and added, "We may have requested data during the government audit, but it is unreasonable to not submit a full list."

In response, Minister Kim did not back down, saying, "Then why did you not submit it in the past, during the Yoon Seok-yeol administration?" and "There is a reason for everything."

Minister Kim added, “When the list of these people is made public, it has been a practice in the past to cause a lot of noise, such as all kinds of contacts, so that is why we decided not to make it public,” adding, “It is true that it is not a state secret, but if necessary, we will report it in an appropriate manner.”

At the inquiry this afternoon, a battle broke out over the appointment of heads of public institutions.

Rep. Na raised suspicions of preferential treatment, saying that Ha Dong-geun, CEO of Korea District Heating Corporation, was promoted to the position of CEO even though he received the lowest score on documents and interviews.

Rep. Na pointed out, "(President Ha) campaigned against President Lee Jae-myung and the nomination of a specific politician or failed to be nominated, and (Chief of the Blue House's First Affiliated Office) Kim Hyun-ji also officiated. He ranked 8th out of 8 people in the document screening and 5th out of 5 in the interview screening, so why did you recommend (President Ha) alone?"

In response, Minister Kim said, "The role of the District Heating Corporation is changing a lot. I believe that not only energy but also various environmental and ecological factors should be considered."

When Rep. Na asked, “Have you ever received any external pressure from the Blue House or the President? Will you take responsibility?” Minister Kim drew a line at the suspicion of preferential treatment, saying, “I have never been pressured.”