Democrats Submit Request for National Assembly Investigation on Yesterday's Korea-Japan Summit
"Double Standards Within the Democratic Party"
Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, criticized the Democratic Party of Korea's submission of a request for a state audit on the South Korea-Japan summit as "a diversion tactic to shield Lee Jae-myung."
At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 30th, Kim said, "The Democratic Party submitted a request for a state audit on the South Korea-Japan summit yesterday. They are gearing up not only for the state audit but also to mobilize all standing committees to hold hearings," adding, "Their intention is to use the April extraordinary session as a stage for diplomatic nitpicking as a diversion to protect Lee Jae-myung."
Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 30th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
Kim continued, "Even a Justice Party official said that it is natural not to disclose diplomatic issues publicly, but the Democratic Party, which refused a state audit during the Moon Jae-in administration citing secrecy over the inter-Korean summit, is now pushing for a state audit. This is a clear case of double standards," he added.
The People Power Party submitted a request for a state audit regarding the 'consideration of North Korean nuclear power plant construction' document, which was reportedly created and then deleted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in 2021. At the time, Choi Jae-sung, then Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House, opposed the opposition People Power Party by saying, "Put your fate on the line."
Kim also quoted remarks from a senior politician from the Democratic Party. He said, "Jeong Dae-cheol, the new chairman of the Constitutional Association and a former senior advisor of the Democratic Party, said that one of the best achievements since President Yoon Suk-yeol took office was the improvement of relations with Japan," adding, "This is a high evaluation of the Yoon administration's achievements compared to the lack of progress during the five years of the Moon administration. The Democratic Party should listen to the advice of its own senior members."
On the same day, Kim also pointed out to the Democratic Party that "they must stop populist behavior." Citing the World Bank's low growth forecast and the National Assembly Budget Office's concerns about tax revenue shortages, he said, "The Democratic Party, fully aware of these circumstances, is turning a blind eye and indulging in populism while focusing on rushed legislative processes."
He added, "Indiscriminately promoting populism, which is merely a pre-election tactic without considering financial resources, is not the stance of a responsible party," and said, "The Democratic Party, which is in an internal crisis due to Lee Jae-myung's judicial risks, may want to create external battle lines to cover it up, but doing so will not erase or conceal their wrongdoing."
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