Kim Boo-kyum Defends Hong Nam-ki Over 'Son's Preferential Hospitalization' Allegation: "Moon Administration's Trend of 'Cabinet Member Bashing'"

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum recently defended the allegations that Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Hong Nam-ki's son received special treatment during his hospitalization at Seoul National University Hospital on the 7th, saying, "If your child is hospitalized, isn't it natural as a parent to check on the situation?" He added, "Wouldn't anyone feel frustrated if their child was hospitalized? These days, it seems like it's become a trend to criticize Moon Jae-in (government) ministers..."

On the same day, Prime Minister Kim held a press briefing with reporters at the Government Complex Sejong and responded to related questions by saying, "I have not yet fully grasped the specific details of the situation," and made the remarks above.

Deputy Prime Minister Hong sparked controversy after it was revealed that he personally called Kim Yeon-soo, director of Seoul National University Hospital, during the period from the 24th to the 26th of last month when his son was admitted to a special room at the hospital. Amid an emergency situation due to a surge in severe COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization, there are suspicions that Hong made a phone request to admit his non-COVID-19-positive son.

After the fact became public, the Ministry of Economy and Finance explained that "due to the high usage rate of hospital rooms, the son was admitted to a remaining special room," but Deputy Prime Minister Hong has not directly commented on the matter. Some have raised concerns about abuse of power, obstruction of business, and even violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act (Kim Young-ran Act).

Regarding this, Prime Minister Kim said, "Whether it violates the Kim Young-ran Act is something that needs to be looked into," but added, "There is a public sentiment of 'Did this really happen during a time when hospital beds were scarce due to COVID-19?'" implying that procedurally there may be no issue.

Meanwhile, ahead of the local elections scheduled for June next year, Prime Minister Kim reiterated his previous stance that "it is desirable to remain in office until the end of the administration's term," in response to ongoing speculation about some ministers running for office.

He said, "If any cabinet member is considering resigning to run for office, they would consult with me," adding, "There has been no such matter so far."

In political circles, there are rumors about Deputy Prime Minister Hong running for governor of Gangwon Province, and Social Deputy Prime Minister Yoo Eun-hye and Minister of the Interior and Safety Jeon Hae-cheol running for governor of Gyeonggi Province.