Why is Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok opposing Ihn Yohan’s appointment as Korean Red Cross chief?

Kim asked President Lee Jae Myung to reconsider the appointment after gathering opinions from inside and outside the party. Critics have objected to Ihn because he did not take part in the impeachment vote on former President Yoon Suk Yeol after the December 2024 martial law declaration.

When was Ihn Yohan selected to lead the Korean Red Cross, and what term would he serve?

Ihn was selected by the Korean Red Cross central committee in June. If President Lee approves the appointment, he is set to take office for a three-year term.

What did the National Assembly ethics committee decide about Ihn Yohan’s eligibility for the Korean Red Cross presidency?

The committee concluded after its review that Ihn is eligible for employment as president of the Korean Red Cross. The appointment still requires approval from President Lee, who is also the organization’s honorary president.

DPK leader asks President Lee not to appoint ex-PPP lawmaker as Red Cross chief

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Summary

Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok asked President Lee Jae Myung not to appoint former People Power Party lawmaker Ihn Yohan as head of the Korean Red Cross. The request came after Lee met DPK leaders over dinner at Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday. Ihn was chosen by the Red Cross central committee in June and would begin a three-year term if Lee approves the appointment. The National Assembly ethics committee has already found him eligible, but critics have objected to his past conduct.

Key Facts

Ihn Yohan was chosen by the Korean Red Cross central committee in June.
He is set to serve a three-year term if President Lee approves the appointment.
The National Assembly public officials ethics committee concluded that Ihn is eligible for employment as president of the Korean Red Cross.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 26, 2026 12:01 pm KST
Updated Aug 26, 2026 12:09 pm KST

Ihn Yohan, lawmaker of the main opposition People Power Party / Yonhap

Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) leader Kim Min-seok has asked President Lee Jae Myung to reconsider the appointment of Ihn Yohan, a former lawmaker of the main opposition People Power Party, as the new head of the Korean Red Cross, a ruling party spokesperson said Wednesday.

Kim made the request after Lee met with DPK leaders over dinner at Cheong Wa Dae, the presidential office, on Tuesday, according to DPK senior spokesperson Park Sung-joon.

"Kim said it would be better not to appoint Ihn as chief of the Korean Red Cross. He made the request after gathering opinions from within and outside the party," Park said in a media briefing in the southeastern city of Andong.

Ihn was chosen through a vote by the Korean Red Cross's central committee in June and is set to take office for a three-year term upon approval from President Lee, honorary president of the organization.

The National Assembly's public officials ethics committee has also concluded after a review that Ihn is eligible for employment as the president of the Korean Red Cross.

However, some critics have raised objections to Ihn's appointment, citing his absence from the vote on the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol following his declaration of martial law in December 2024.

Ihn hails from an American family that has dedicated its services to developing medicine and education in Korea. He became a naturalized Korean citizen in 2012.

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