Ruling Party Gains Momentum in Counterattack Against Yoo Sang-beom's Missteps

"List Released Without Verifying Namesakes... National Assembly Ethics Committee to File Complaint"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Kang Nahum and Wondara] The Democratic Party of Korea announced that it will file a complaint with the National Assembly Ethics Committee against Yusangbeom, a member of the People Power Party, who disclosed the 'Optimus Fund Investor List' containing names matching key ruling party figures. Along with this, they also expressed their intention to push forward with amendments to the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HOCI) Act. Analysts suggest that Yusangbeom's premature disclosure provided an opportunity for the ruling party's counterattack.

Park Seongjun, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, said in a briefing immediately after the meeting, "At today's National Assembly audit countermeasure meeting, we demanded a public apology and disciplinary action from Representative Yu, and furthermore, the Democratic Party plans to file a complaint against him with the National Assembly Ethics Committee."

When asked about the timing of the complaint, he said, "It must be within 10 days, so probably today or tomorrow." Regarding whether the complaint would be withdrawn if Representative Yu publicly apologizes, he said, "The complaint will proceed regardless of an apology."

The list disclosed by Representative Yu at the National Assembly audit the previous day included names such as Kim Young-ho, Kim Kyung-hyeop, Kim Jin-pyo, Kim Soo-hyun, Lee Ho-cheol, Jin Young, and Park Soo-hyun. The individuals involved stated that these were merely namesakes and hinted at legal action. Former Blue House spokesperson Park Soo-hyun said, "Statements made hiding behind parliamentary immunity due to social interest ultimately create distrust in politics and harm innocent citizens," and announced plans to take legal measures against Representative Yu. Representative Kim Jin-pyo is also reported to have contacted a lawyer and begun legal review.

There is also analysis that Representative Yu's disclosure provided an opportunity for the ruling party's counterattack. Although Floor Leader Kim Tae-nyeon did not mention the list that day, he reiterated the necessity of establishing the HOCI and declared that the ruling party would push forward with amendments to the HOCI enabling law. At the National Assembly audit countermeasure meeting, Floor Leader Kim said, "The establishment of the HOCI is an unavoidable historical task to reform sanctified power institutions," and added, "If the opposition party ultimately refuses to cooperate, the Democratic Party will immediately begin reviewing amendments to the HOCI law."

He said, "There is one week left for the opposition party to recommend members for the HOCI chief candidate recommendation committee. The People Power Party leadership has repeatedly stated before the public that they will soon decide on the recommendation committee," and added, "The Democratic Party has accepted the opposition's demands, made maximum concessions, and waited as long as possible."

Yoon Gap-geun, Chief Prosecutor of Daegu High Prosecutors' Office.

Meanwhile, the day before, Yoon Gap-geun, former high prosecutor and head of the People Power Party's Chungbuk Provincial Party Committee, who was named as a lobbying target by Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min and Open Democratic Party's Kim Jin-ae in relation to Optimus, also announced plans to take legal action.

In a statement that day, Chairman Yoon said, "Kim Jin-ae, a member of the ruling party's second squad, exposed my real name and photo, and then Kim Yong-min continued false defamation as if waiting for this," adding, "I cannot help but feel devastated by Kim Yong-min, who has turned the National Assembly audit, which is supposed to oversee state affairs, into a private grudge match and damaged my honor."

He continued, "The prosecution should immediately begin investigating Kim Yong-min, the accused, who has been inactive for as long as one year and four months," and added, "Furthermore, I will actively consider filing civil and criminal lawsuits against Kim Jin-ae."