[Reporter’s Notebook] Democratic Party Leadership Fuels the Kim Nam-guk Scandal

Kim Nam-guk Scandal: Party's Internal Investigation Proves Ineffective
Leadership Delays Swift Action Amid Ongoing Controversies
A Responsible Party Must Admit Mistakes and Take Corrective Measures

On the 14th of this month, when Representative Kim Nam-guk, who caused a stir with his massive virtual asset investments, left the Democratic Party of Korea, officials from the party's fact-finding investigation team reportedly breathed a sigh of relief. This was because the investigation had not gained momentum since the team was formed. Although the team held meetings day and night, they only discussed the scope of the investigation. This was due to Representative Kim, who had promised to undergo a sincere investigation, leaving the party without even submitting his cryptocurrency transaction records.

While the Democratic Party's fact-finding investigation became ineffective, the National Assembly swiftly passed a bill for a comprehensive virtual asset investigation led by the People Power Party. Before the fact-finding team was launched, the Democratic Party had considered a full virtual asset investigation targeting all its members, but, wary of some party members' protective sentiment toward Representative Kim, the initiative was overtaken by the People Power Party.

The Democratic Party leadership responded lukewarmly from the early stages of the Kim Nam-guk incident. Although suspicions of Representative Kim's 6 billion KRW cryptocurrency investment were raised, disciplinary actions against him were repeatedly postponed under the pretext of an ongoing investigation, which itself took a week to establish the fact-finding team. At the parliamentary meeting on the 14th, although strict investigation and disciplinary principles regarding Representative Kim were confirmed, the resolution omitted the demand for referral to the National Assembly Ethics Committee that had erupted during the meeting, causing internal backlash.

The Democratic Party leadership's delayed response is not limited to this case. When the envelope money scandal surfaced during last month's party convention, the leadership did not respond properly, claiming that "the timing of the search and seizure was suspicious." The leadership's explanation that more time was needed to understand the situation sounds like nothing but an excuse. When the 'LH (Korea Land and Housing Corporation) land speculation scandal' swept through the political world last year, the party leadership immediately formed a task force (TF) and recommended implicated lawmakers to leave the party.

What political parties must demonstrate in Yeouido politics is a firm sense of responsibility. Evidence has been found that Representative Kim engaged in cryptocurrency trading not only in standing committee meetings but even during the Itaewon disaster briefing. Rather than crying "opposition party oppression" even if it invites political attacks, it is necessary to acknowledge mistakes and show a willingness to resolve the issue. The leadership's attempt to gloss over the Kim Nam-guk incident is no different from admitting the judicial risks faced by Representative Lee Jae-myung.