The main opposition party on Friday accused the prime minister nominee of dodging South Korea’s obligatory military draft, adding to the list of claims it has made against the nation’s next potential Cabinet member.
Lawmakers from the New Politics Alliance for Democracy have been mounting a list of allegations against governing Saenuri Party Rep. Lee Wan-koo, who was nominated Prime Minister on Jan. 23.
Lee faces suspicion that he speculated in real estate and that his son avoided the military draft in 2006. The three-term lawmaker must now respond to charges that he faked medical records to avoid serving in the military.
Lee was initially approved to serve in the active service in 1971 according to NPAD Rep. Jin Sun-mee, who cited papers from the Military Manpower Administration, despite claims by Lee that he had suffered from flat feet since the 1960s when he was in middle school.
A physical exam taken in 1975 exempted Lee from service due to his flat feet.
“If Rep. Lee had indeed suffered from flat feet before 1971, how did he get approved to serve? If he had flat feet, it would have been common sense for him to have applied for a re-exam immediately,” Jin said.
“It appears he was relieved from his military duties once he was able to secure a job,” Jin said in reference to Lee’s passing the national civil service exam in 1974.
Lee’s confirmation hearing will begin next Tuesday.
By Jeong Hunny (hj257@heraldcorp.com)
