Kim Seok-ki: "Moon Jae-in was elected president with help from spies"

Kim Seok-ki "It is clear that Moon received help from a spy"
Kim Boo-kyum "Excessive leap... Please be cautious in expressions about the head of state"

Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party (left), and party member Kim Seok-ki are talking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 9th of last month.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Kim Seok-ki, a member of the People Power Party, mentioned the 'Cheongju Spy Group' case and claimed that "President Moon Jae-in was elected in the presidential election with the help of spies."

On the 14th, during a government questioning session held at the National Assembly plenary session, Rep. Kim questioned Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, saying, "It is a fact that the president received help from spies, so it is normal to apologize to the people or provide an explanation." Rep. Kim also suggested that there might be spy groups within the Democratic Party's presidential candidate camp.

The so-called 'Cheongju Spy Group' case refers to an incident where four labor figures in the Cheongju area of Chungbuk received orders from North Korea and conducted all-out espionage activities. They are suspected of manipulating public opinion against the introduction of the U.S.-made stealth fighter F-35A. Some of them are known to have held a press conference openly supporting candidate Moon Jae-in during the 2017 presidential election and were appointed as labor special advisors in the presidential campaign.

On that day, Rep. Kim asked Prime Minister Kim, "It is a clear fact that President Moon Jae-in was elected with the help of spies during the presidential election process. Shouldn't he apologize to the people or provide an explanation?"

In response, Prime Minister Kim said, "Many people help during elections," adding, "As far as I know, those who were active in the Cheongju area moved around with business cards as special advisors, but there are tens of thousands of such people in the presidential campaign." Rep. Kim retorted, "Even so, how could you not identify spies and appoint them as special advisors?"

Rep. Kim further pointed out, "How can you guarantee that there are no such spy groups in the camp of the current leading Democratic Party presidential candidate?" This prompted jeers from Democratic Party lawmakers in the plenary session.

In response, Prime Minister Kim said, "It is an excessive leap to say that the president elected by the people's choice was elected because of spies," and added, "I hope you exercise caution when making expressions about the head of state."