Kim Ki-hyun on Moon's refusal of Board of Audit investigation: "Still trapped in memories of a monarch"

"Written Investigation: The Democratic Party Seems to Be Arrogantly Insisting on Self-Disclosure and Telling Others Not to Intervene"

Kim Ki-hyun, member of the People Power Party. / Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Kim Gi-hyeon, a member of the People Power Party, criticized former President Moon Jae-in for refusing the Board of Audit and Inspection's written investigation request related to the 'West Sea Civil Servant Shooting Incident,' saying, "It seems he still holds onto the memories of an imperial presidency."

On the 4th, Kim appeared on SBS Radio's 'Kim Taehyun's Political Show' and said, "The President of the Republic of Korea has long shed the status of an emperor. He is simply the biggest worker among the errand runners carrying out the people's errands."

The Board of Audit and Inspection requested a written investigation from former President Moon's side via phone and email on the 28th of last month regarding the West Sea Civil Servant Shooting Incident, but Moon's side refused. According to Yoon Gun-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, former President Moon expressed strong displeasure at the Board's request, calling it "a very rude act."

Regarding this, Kim said, "Before becoming president, former President Moon said about former President Park Geun-hye, 'She should not be treated with presidential courtesy but as a suspect. Immediate compulsory investigation should be urged.'" He added, "He also said about the sitting president, 'Arrest him immediately.' Considering that a Democratic Party member held a press conference calling the former president's private written investigation request 'a rude act,' it seems he is still trapped in the memories of imperial rule."

Kim dismissed the Democratic Party's interpretation that the Board of Audit and Inspection's written investigation request was a tactic to shift the controversy during President Yoon Seok-yeol's overseas trip, saying, "(The written investigation request) was not disclosed by the Board of Audit and Inspection, I did not know about it, and our party has never disclosed it." He added, "The Democratic Party disclosed it first themselves. They make such announcements and then try to cover it up elsewhere. No matter how much they try to shift blame, their justification and logic must be sound."

He emphasized, "Former President Moon has no legal obligation to respond to that written request. He is a civilian, not a public official. If he doesn't respond, so be it."

When asked why he thinks the Democratic Party disclosed it first, Kim said, "Because they are still obsessed with the memories of imperial rule and flip out whenever only they are touched." He added, "'I am an emperor, so absolutely do not touch me,' they are trapped in such arrogance. That's what I think."

Regarding the criticism that it may be inappropriate to conduct a written investigation at a timing just before the National Assembly audit, given that former President Moon is unlikely to cooperate, Kim said, "If you think that way, it leads to the logic that the Board of Audit and Inspection should decide whether to take action based on which party it favors or disfavors politically. That is very unfair." He continued, "The Board of Audit and Inspection operates independently, and the National Assembly operates independently. Linking them and saying the timing should be coordinated is tantamount to asking the Board to abandon its political neutrality."