[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Kim Kyung-hyup, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, proposed to Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, to recommend a member for the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HOCI) recommendation committee and suggested conducting a special prosecutor investigation as demanded by the People Power Party. He also challenged to stake their parliamentary seats. Kim had invested in the Optimus Fund. The People Power Party dismissed the proposal as a "shell game" and "nonsense."
On the 18th, Kim held a press conference and said, "I cannot help but laugh when I see the opposition floor leader talk about a power-type gate. Therefore, once again, I clearly state the truth and propose to Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party."
He added, "Let's start by recommending the opposition candidate for the HOCI recommendation committee and stake our parliamentary seats on the results of the special prosecutor investigation. If I, as a member of the Planning and Finance Committee, used undisclosed insider information about this fund or if my investment is part of a power-type corruption gate, I will take judicial responsibility and resign my parliamentary seat first."
He continued, "Conversely, if it is confirmed that my investment was a simple investment and not a power-type corruption, I urge Joo Ho-young to promise to take responsibility by resigning his parliamentary seat."
He further stated, "If both conditions are met, I will persuade Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader, and the Democratic Party. If you are really confident, let's do it."
The People Power Party responded by calling it a "shell game proposal." Bae Hyun-jin, the floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a statement, "A responsible ruling party member has come forward with a shell game proposal," criticizing, "Politics is not a shell game, and the absurd remark like 'stake your parliamentary seat for 100 million won' is ridiculous."
She added, "Are you suggesting using the parliamentary seat, which the people entrusted with infinite responsibility, as a bargaining chip? The level of awareness is simply regrettable."
Spokesperson Bae also said, "Moreover, since he himself is the subject of suspicion, it is nonsense to ask others to stake their parliamentary seats when he should be staking his own to prove his innocence."
Meanwhile, Kim explained his investment process, saying, "In January last year, I subscribed to an 8-month short-term product on the recommendation of the securities firm employee who usually managed my CMA account, and I actually entrusted the securities firm with the handling of the transaction. The product period expired, and I received my investment back."
He continued, "A few days ago, a reporter from a media outlet called to ask if I had invested in the Optimus Fund. I had invested in a fund last year but did not remember which one, so I checked with the securities firm employee and found out it was the Optimus Fund."
Kim said, "I was momentarily chilled. When I argued that I almost lost all my investment, the reply was that even they never dreamed such an incident would happen. That's all."
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