The Justice Innovation Party has voiced its concerns regarding the recent appointment of Lee Byung-tae, a former KAIST professor, as vice chair of the Regulatory Reform Committee by the South Korean administration. In a statement released on the 3rd by spokesperson Park Chan-kyu, the party expressed deep concern, underscoring that the vice chair position has been elevated to a level equivalent to that of a Prime Ministerial role under the new government. They are urging the government to reconsider this appointment amidst fears that Lee's past actions and rhetoric do not align with the values expected of such a high-ranking official.

Spokesperson Park elaborated on Lee's history as an active member of the conservative camp, including his roles in the Liberty Korea Party's innovation committee and as the main policy strategist for Hong Joon-pyo's presidential campaign, where he gained notoriety for harshly criticizing key economic policies of the previous administration. He has previously labeled policies like income-led growth as a 'fraud' and questioned the sanity of minimum wage increases, raising flags about his suitability for a position that demands a balanced and moderate perspective on economic reform and regulation.

Moreover, Park pointed to Lee's troubling past, including his disclosure of an extreme right-wing historical view that equates pro-Japanese sentiments with normalcy while labeling anti-Japanese sentiments as abnormal. His derogatory remarks about memorial events and comments that incite generational conflicts reveal a lack of the moral stature necessary for public office. Despite being investigated for inappropriate behavior during his tenure at KAIST, from which he was suspended following the inquiry, he was not prosecuted. This history raises questions about how he was selected for this critical role and whether he is fit for a position in a progressive government.