Kim Ki-hyun "My son does not own a single stock... Is there a problem with his employment at a blockchain company?"

Kim Ki-hyun, the leader of the People Power Party, on the 11th refuted reports that his son is serving as an executive at a cryptocurrency company, stating, "He is just an employee who works and receives a salary without owning a single share of the company," and asked, "What is wrong with my son being employed as a staff member?"

On the same day, Kim said on Facebook, "What is wrong with my son being employed as a staff member at 'Unopened Co., Ltd.', a small to medium-sized venture company with about 30 employees (a startup studio related to the blockchain industry)?"

Regarding the report and Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, saying "It is Kim Ki-hyun's turn to respond," Kim countered, "My son neither gambles nor has ever been involved in prostitution allegations like someone else's son," adding, "Now it is Lee's turn to answer. Is it true that Lee's son habitually gambles and has engaged in prostitution?" He continued, "Lee seems desperate. It is pitiful to see him rushing in as if he has caught some good news based on some unverified reports."

People Power Party leader Kim Ki-hyun (left) and Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung talking at the opening ceremony of the 59th Korea Press Photo Exhibition held on April 20 at Gwanghwamun Square, Jongno-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim also addressed the Democratic Party's criticism the previous day that "Kim's son is in the virtual asset industry, and Kim, during his tenure as floor leader in June 2021, advocated for the postponement of taxation on virtual assets (coins) in his negotiation group leader speech."

He said, "At that time, due to the Moon Jae-in administration's flawed job and real estate policies, young people were dangerously and heavily investing in virtual currencies by borrowing to the limit. My remarks were made with the intention that taxes on trading profits should be imposed only after the government implements investor protection measures," adding, "As the opposition floor leader, it was a claim I naturally had to make. What is wrong with that?"

He further stated, "Moreover, my son was employed at that company in November 2021, five months after my remarks. When I made those remarks, my son was not working at that company, so what connection does my statement have with that company?" He added, "It is truly pitiful to see Lee and the Democratic Party forcefully linking the business handled by the company where my son works with my past remarks."

Kim recalled the allegations of prostitution and habitual gambling against Lee's son and Lee's explanation at the time, where he said something to the effect of "My son is someone else," and counterattacked Lee.

Kim wrote, "Under no circumstances would I call my beloved son 'someone else,' nor would I ever hurl unspeakable insults at my sister-in-law and brother," adding, "I believe that trampling on one's son, brother, and sister-in-law for the sake of one's power and career is something no human should ever do." He concluded, "Now it is Lee's turn to answer. Is that son still 'someone else' to Lee?"