Kim Eui-gyeom, Spokesperson for the Democratic Party
"Kim Gun-hee Additional Stock Manipulation" Allegation Raised
Second Legal Action Against Sitting Lawmaker
[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The Presidential Office filed a complaint against Kim Eui-gyeom, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 29th. This move reflects a principle of legal response rather than political confrontation against the opposition party's unreasonable allegations. Given President Yoon Seok-yeol's repeated declarations to eradicate fake news, it is interpreted as an intention to block unnecessary disputes.
The Presidential Office will file a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on the 30th at 3 p.m. against Representative Kim, the Democratic Party spokesperson who raised additional stock manipulation allegations against Mrs. Kim, for violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (defamation).
On the 27th, Representative Kim stated in a commentary, "Mrs. Kim has been implicated in another stock manipulation case; following Deutsche Motors, this time it is Woori Technology's manipulation stock," and insisted that she should be investigated by the prosecution. In response, the Presidential Office rebutted, saying, "They made a false briefing by arbitrarily interpreting some content from another's trial process," but Representative Kim issued another written briefing, countering, "Shaking the opposition party spokesperson will not erase 'Mrs. Kim's charges.'"
Despite the Presidential Office's rebuttal of Representative Kim's allegations, it appears they judged legal action to be unavoidable, viewing that Representative Kim is damaging Mrs. Kim's reputation. The Presidential Office spokesperson stated, "It is unacceptable in a 'rule of law country' to raise any suspicion and then demand the victim prove it is not stock manipulation," adding, "Repeatedly spreading false information and mocking with remarks like 'complaints welcome' is considered 'secondary harm' and cannot be overlooked."
The complaint against Representative Kim marks the second case where the Presidential Office has taken legal action against a sitting member of the National Assembly, and the fourth including former Justice Party lawmaker Kim Jong-dae and broadcaster Kim Eo-jun. Previously, in November last year, Jang Kyung-tae, a senior member of the Democratic Party, was reported for raising 'lighting use suspicions' regarding Mrs. Kim's Cambodia visit photos. In December last year, former lawmaker Kim Jong-dae and Kim Eo-jun were each reported for raising allegations that a fortune teller known as 'Cheongong' interfered in the selection of the Presidential Office's official residence location.
Some interpret this as a strategy to block opposition attacks against Mrs. Kim, who is expanding her activities based on President Yoon's rising approval ratings. Mrs. Kim has moved away from unofficial volunteer activities under the concept of 'quiet support' and recently has been actively engaging, including hosting lunch meetings with female lawmakers. President Yoon also mentioned in a recent New Year interview with the Chosun Ilbo that "after taking office, I realized the spouse also has a significant role to play." Criticism has arisen that the repeated complaints against opposition allegations represent an authoritarian style of governance by the Presidential Office.
Regarding this, a Presidential Office official stated, "It is not just about Mrs. Kim. We cannot just stand by while malicious fake news and mockery continue," adding, "Since these are falsehoods that cannot be resolved politically rather than political disputes with differing opinions, we have no choice but to take legal action," expressing a firm stance.
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