Kim Geun-sik Criticizes Namyangju Audit, Saying "Lee Jae-myung Resembles Reckless Chu Mi-ae and Trump"

Geun-sik Kim, Chairman of the Seoul Songpa-byeong Party Committee of the People Power Party. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Kim Geunsik, the head of the People Power Party's Songpabyung district in Seoul, criticized the claim on the 24th that Namyangju City is being subjected to targeted and retaliatory audits by Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, saying, "There is a shadow of a 'potential dictator' looming over Governor Lee."

In a post on his Facebook on the same day, Kim said, "The foundation of democracy is the recognition of differences and tolerance, but he cannot tolerate opinions or claims different from his own," and pointed out, "He relentlessly attacked the Korea Tax Institute report that questioned the economic effectiveness of his brand, local currency."

He continued, "When the universal disaster relief payment claim did not gain traction, he continued a sharp confrontation with Deputy Prime Minister Hong Nam-ki, who advocated for selective payments until the end," and criticized, "Governor Lee, who targeted Namyangju City due to the local currency issue, is conducting unprecedented audits and even requesting investigations beyond imagination. He is similar to Trump, who ruthlessly dismisses, criticizes, and retaliates against those who do not listen to him."

Kim explained, "The foundation of democracy is institutional restraint (forbearance), but he frequently abuses his authority," adding, "He declared disaster areas to prevent the distribution of leaflets to North Korea and preemptively arrested defectors, and his attempt to forcibly hospitalize his brother was also an abuse of power."

He also criticized, "Conducting intense audits and applying retaliatory pressure on Namyangju City, which opposes local currency, appears to be an abuse of the audit authority of a metropolitan local government," and said, "He is similar to Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, who recklessly abused her inspection authority to target Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol."

He added, "At least Minister Choo's nonsense had the slogan of 'prosecutorial reform,' but Governor Lee's audit of Namyangju City lacks even a fake pretext," and condemned, "Governor Lee Jae-myung closely resembles the vindictive retaliation of potential dictator Trump and the authority abuse of lawless Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae."

On the 23rd, Joo Kwang-han, mayor of Namyangju City, protested in front of the corridor on the 2nd floor meeting room of Namyangju City Hall, claiming that the Gyeonggi Province audit is illegal. Photo by Yonhap News

This 'retaliatory audit' controversy arose when Gyeonggi Province launched a three-week investigation on the 16th against Namyangju City, citing "media reports, anonymous and public whistleblowing, and residents' audit requests regarding various preferential treatment allegations."

The audit targets include allegations of preferential treatment in the Yangjeong Station area development project, unfair selection of business operators for the art club competition, violations of COVID-19 quarantine guidelines, preferential treatment related to the purchase of public property, and other reported matters.

In response, Namyangju Mayor Cho Gwang-han held a protest for an hour on the 23rd in front of the corridor outside the second-floor meeting room of Namyangju City Hall, where Gyeonggi Province audit team members were conducting the audit, holding a placard that read, "Must we endure continuous retaliatory audits?"

Mayor Cho also held a press conference at the Gyeonggi Northern Provincial Government Peace Plaza on the 24th, stating, "Gyeonggi Province has conducted 11 inspections this year, nine of which have been since May," and declared, "We will no longer cooperate with Gyeonggi Province audits until the legality of the audits is secured and any illegality is resolved."

In response to Namyangju City's opposition, Governor Lee posted on Facebook, "There can be no ruling or opposition party, no friend or foe, in the eradication of illegal administration and corruption," and rebutted, "If there is no wrongdoing, there is no need to refuse or obstruct the audit."