Kim Nam-guk's Final Defense at Ethics Committee... Disciplinary Level Vote in Next Subcommittee Meeting

Kim "Sincerely Responding to Advisory Committee's Inquiry"

Kim Nam-guk, an independent lawmaker who was referred to the National Assembly Ethics Special Committee for disciplinary action over a controversy involving large virtual asset transactions, appeared before the subcommittee on the 17th to make his final statement. The subcommittee plans to hold a secret ballot next week to vote on the level of disciplinary action against Kim.

The Ethics Special Committee held its 1st Subcommittee meeting at the National Assembly that morning, reviewing the explanatory materials submitted by Kim for 30 minutes, followed by a question-and-answer session with Kim in attendance. This was the second meeting following the one on the 10th, during which the Ethics Advisory Committee recommended expulsion of Kim from the National Assembly to the Ethics Special Committee.

After completing his statement, Kim left the meeting room and told reporters, "I sincerely responded mainly to the questions raised by the advisory committee," adding, "I submitted additional materials by yesterday."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Yang-su, chairman of the 1st Subcommittee and senior deputy floor leader of the People Power Party, said after the meeting, "(Kim) tried his best to explain. However, there were quite a few parts that were not explained, and while some answers were understandable, others were difficult to comprehend, so it is hard to say that the lawmakers felt fully satisfied with the explanations."

Regarding the submission of additional materials, he said, "This time, he submitted transaction records, which can be evaluated as having been submitted sincerely," but added, "There were other requested materials, and it is somewhat difficult to say that all of those were submitted sincerely."

Song Ki-heon, senior deputy floor leader of the Democratic Party and the party’s secretary, said, "It is unclear whether (Kim) deliberately withheld some materials or was unable to submit them because they did not exist." He also mentioned, "Each member asked detailed questions, and for parts that could not be judged based on the submitted materials, we listened thoroughly to Kim’s explanations."

The Ethics Special Committee is expected to hold a subcommittee meeting as early as next week to conduct a secret ballot on the disciplinary proposal against Kim. Secretary Song elaborated, "Since this is a personnel matter, the vote will be conducted by secret ballot according to the National Assembly Act, and the results will follow accordingly." Once the disciplinary level is decided by the subcommittee vote, the Ethics Special Committee will hold a plenary meeting to pass the disciplinary proposal. The Ethics Special Committee’s disciplinary proposal is finalized through a plenary vote, requiring approval by two-thirds or more of the total members present.

Kim was seen with reddened eyes as he left the Ethics Special Committee meeting that day. Chairman Lee explained, "Although the Ethics Special Committee is a place where serious questioning takes place, it is fellow lawmakers asking and answering questions. Since fellow lawmakers give sincere advice and counsel with affection, it seems Kim became emotional."