[2026 Audit] "Why Hide It?" vs "Lobbying Concerns"... Debate Over Disclosure of Members for the 12th Electricity Plan Committee

Opposition: "Verifying Participants Is an Obvious Duty"


Minister Kim Seonghwan: "Non-Disclosure Maintained Even under Yoon Administration"

The ruling and opposition parties engaged in a heated debate over whether to disclose the list of members for the 12th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand (the 12th Electricity Plan) during a National Assembly audit. The opposition demanded that the National Assembly should be provided with the list in order to verify the members who participated in drafting the electricity policy. However, Minister of Climate, Energy, and Environment Kim Seong-hwan countered that the principle of non-disclosure has been maintained due to concerns over lobbying and unnecessary contact with the committee members.

On October 6, the National Assembly's Climate, Energy, Environment, and Labor Committee held a government audit session for the Ministry of Climate and Environment. Assemblyman Lee Cheol-gyu of the People Power Party insisted, "It is an obvious responsibility for the National Assembly to determine who participates in the important work of formulating and approving the Electricity Plan," and argued, "If the list is deliberately withheld, it inevitably raises suspicion that there is something to hide."

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Minister Kim responded, "Even during the previous Yoon Suk-yeol administration, I do not recall ever receiving the list of members for the 11th Electricity Plan," adding, "Given the unique characteristics of the Electricity Plan Committee, if the members' identities are released, it could lead to unnecessary contact or lobbying toward individual members. Therefore, only the chair's name has been made public, while the committee members have not." Assemblyman Lee reiterated his demand for the full list, stating, "The National Assembly, as a representative of the people, seeks to verify the process and prevent any tainting of the policy's development."

Assemblyman Lee Jong-bae, also of the People Power Party, stated there is no valid reason to refuse to submit the materials. He remarked, "The purpose of the National Assembly audit is to monitor the government on behalf of the people. Unless there is a special reason, or unless restricted by law, necessary materials must be submitted." Likewise, Assemblywoman Na Kyung-won of the same party questioned, "What are the legitimate grounds for rejecting a data request during a parliamentary audit? According to the National Assembly Act and the Act on the Inspection and Investigation of State Administration, exceptions only apply to matters concerning national security and other major state interests—is this issue of such nature?"

Minister Kim repeatedly emphasized that the Electricity Plan Committee is an advisory body, not a decision-making organization. He said, "The Electricity Plan Committee does not have legal authority to make decisions; it is purely advisory. In the past, when the list was made public, there were multiple problems in committee members' policy activities and work execution, which is why we opted for non-disclosure."

He did, however, leave open the possibility of providing necessary information to the National Assembly. Minister Kim stated, "It is true that this is not a matter of national secrecy," and added, "If necessary, I will submit a report to help lawmakers refer to relevant information in an appropriate manner."

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Ruling Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Hak-young expressed understanding for the opposition's requests, but stressed that the dispute over submitting materials should not interrupt the progress of the audit. He stated, "It is only natural that opposition lawmakers request documents during such audits. Given the significance of the Electricity Plan, there may be vested interests at stake. If committee members are flooded with calls and meeting requests, it could be perplexing for them." He added, "The audit process should not come to a halt over this. The specific requests should be addressed, but the audit must proceed as intended."

The opposition, however, repeatedly pressed the matter, arguing that it is inappropriate to keep the list undisclosed to the National Assembly when it has already been reported in the media. Assemblywoman Kim Sohee of the People Power Party commented, "The stated principle of non-disclosure does not answer the current situation. The current administration should make the list public to demonstrate transparency in the Electricity Plan process."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.