Controversy Over 'Excessive Protocol' Involving Kim Hye-kyung and the Party... Won Hee-ryong Asks, "Whose Card Is It?"

Despite Kim Hye-kyung's Apology and Explanation, the Opposition Repeatedly Raises Suspicions

Won Hee-ryong, head of the policy headquarters of the People Power Party's election campaign, criticized Kim Hye-kyung, spouse of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, who explained the controversy over the protocol for public officials.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Kim Hye-kyung, spouse of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, clarified the controversy surrounding the excessive protocol involving public officials, but Won Hee-ryong, head of the policy headquarters of the People Power Party's election campaign, repeatedly raised suspicions, asking, "Whose card did Secretary Bae use for illegal secretarial work?"

On the 2nd, Won posted on his Facebook, saying, "Secretary Bae released a statement claiming she did things no one asked her to do," and raised his voice, "How could Kim know what medicine she wants prescribed, whether she wants to eat meat or white kimchi, or when her son will be discharged unless Candidate Lee and Ms. Kim talked about it?"

He continued, "Who owns the card used to buy medicine, buy meat, and pay 2.57 million won in three-month installments?" he asked. "Is it the Gyeonggi Province governor's card or an employee's card?"

Won Hee-ryong, Policy Director of the People Power Party Election Countermeasures Headquarters. / Photo by Yonhap News

He claimed, "Secretary Bae withdrew 140 million won in cash from the business promotion expenses alone, and if you include the card cash advance, the scale grows larger. Did she commit this illegal embezzlement of public funds without anyone ordering her to do so?" He added, "She called the employee who testified to instill fear, saying she called because she was worried. It seems she tried to shift the blame out of concern that Kim's illegal secretarial work would be exposed."

In a subsequent post, Won criticized Kim, saying, "Giving a position because of personal connections is Choi Soon-sil, and secretarial work for the governor's wife is illegal."