Ruling and Opposition Parties to Summon Kim Beom-su, Choi Tae-won, and Lee Hae-jin for October 24 National Audit (Comprehensive)

Kim Beom-su, Chairman of Kakao, appeared as a witness at the National Assembly's audit on the Korea Communications Commission held by the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee on the 21st, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The ruling and opposition parties have decided to summon Kim Beom-su, Chairman of Kakao, Chey Tae-won, Chairman of SK, and Lee Hae-jin, Global Investment Officer (GIO) of Naver, as witnesses at the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Science and ICT on the 24th.

On the morning of the 17th, Jeong Cheong-rae, Chair of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, passed a proposal to request the attendance of witnesses including Chairman Chey, Chairman Kim, GIO Lee, Park Seong-ha, CEO of SK C&C, Hong Eun-taek, CEO of Kakao, and Choi Soo-hyun, CEO of Naver, after an agreement between the ruling and opposition party secretaries during the committee's audit.

Until the morning of that day, the ruling and opposition parties had not narrowed their differences regarding Chairman Kim's attendance as a witness, but a dramatic agreement between the party secretaries at the last minute led to the adoption of the witnesses.

However, unlike Kakao, which was criticized for inadequate response, voices pointed out the unfairness of summoning Naver's witness since Naver did not cause major problems. Yoon Young-chan, a member of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee from the Democratic Party, said, "Naver responded well even during the fire incident, so it is hard to understand why GIO Lee is summoned," adding, "Naver broadcasted the BTS concert live, and summoning Naver's owner and CEO as witnesses without considering the degree of responsibility is unfair."

The committee, which briefly recessed in the morning to negotiate witness adoption, continued the audit after the adoption.