US Denies Visa to National Defense Committee Chairman Jin Seong-jun

National Assembly National Defense Committee Chairman Jin Seong-jun of the Democratic Party of Korea announced on the 28th that he was denied a US visa while planning a visit to the US Indo-Pacific Command. Jin revealed the fact through a press release and Facebook that day.

The National Defense Committee had formed a four-member delegation to the US, including Jin, along with Democratic Party Secretary Kim Byeong-ju, People Power Party Secretary Lim Jong-deuk, and Reform Party lawmaker Cheon Ha-ram. The delegation was scheduled to visit the Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii from November 1 to 5, with meetings confirmed with the command leadership including the Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, the Commander of the Pacific Fleet, and the Commander of Pacific Air Forces. However, of the four members, only Jin was denied visa issuance, while the other three received their visas.

Jin argued, "The US denial of a visa to the chairman of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee is not merely a restriction on an individual's entry, but an obstruction of the National Assembly's official legislative activities representing the people of the Republic of Korea." He noted that he had previously visited the Indo-Pacific Command in March 2014 while serving as a member of the National Defense Committee in the 19th National Assembly. He added, "We express strong regret toward the US for restricting the sovereign activities of the National Assembly and now limiting legislative activities aimed at advancing the Korea-US alliance, and demand forward-looking measures."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced through a media notice that same day that individual visa applications and review results are treated as confidential under US domestic law and procedures. It explained that it had closely communicated with the US side and requested support in order to facilitate lawmakers' official business trips.