Democratic Party Rep. Kim Young-ho Questions in Budget Committee
"Handled Various Events During Candidate Yoon's Campaign," Claims
Ruling Party: "Baseless Allegations... Fake News"
Suspicions have been raised that the host featured in the video titled 'The Truth About Fukushima Contaminated Water' posted on the official YouTube channel of the Republic of Korea government is a politician affiliated with the People Power Party.
The announcer in question is known to have appeared in numerous related contents since President Yoon Suk-yeol's presidential candidacy period. The opposition party argued that hiring a specific party member for videos produced with government funds violates fairness.
Announcer Park Bo-kyung, who hosted the video "The Truth About Fukushima Contaminated Water" posted on the official YouTube channel of the Government of the Republic of Korea. [Photo by Government of the Republic of Korea YouTube]
On the 30th, Kim Young-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, raised suspicions that announcer Park Bo-kyung, featured in the 'The Truth About Fukushima Contaminated Water' video posted on the official government channel, is affiliated with the People Power Party.
In particular, Rep. Kim claimed that Park Bo-kyung was given a concentrated amount of work, serving as the host for major events such as YouTube videos during President Yoon’s presidential candidacy, the presidential inauguration ceremony, the founding anniversary of the Korea Freedom Federation, and the Liberation Day celebration.
At the plenary meeting of the Budget and Accounts Special Committee held at the National Assembly that day, Rep. Kim addressed Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, saying, "I don’t know what kind of relationship this person has with President Yoon Suk-yeol, but it looks like work is being concentrated on her," adding, "She is the main MC of Seok-yeol Hyung TV, host of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s inauguration ceremony, host of the founding general meeting of the Federation of Korean Journalists, host of the 2023 Suncheonman International Garden Expo attended by the president, host of the 69th anniversary ceremony of the Korea Freedom Federation, appeared in 'The Truth About Fukushima Contaminated Water,' and served as host of the 78th Liberation Day celebration."
Anchor Park Bo-kyung, who hosted the video "The Truth About Fukushima Contaminated Water" posted on the official YouTube channel of the Government of the Republic of Korea. [Photo by Government of the Republic of Korea YouTube]
Rep. Kim continued, "While watching the promotional videos, one announcer appeared, and when I searched through portals, I found a truly surprising record," stating, "This announcer is introduced as a member of the People Power Party’s Central Party Affairs Committee."
He added, "There are times when party members are used as public officials in the presidential office and prime minister’s office, but in those cases, they all resign from the party and enter as nonpartisan," and said, "This announcer appearing on YouTube is introduced as a former freelance MBC announcer, but is currently a member of the People Power Party’s Central Party Affairs Committee and classified as a politician. If this is true, it will have significant repercussions."
People Power Party: "Typical Fake News Attack"
However, media reports stating that "the claim is not true" have also been released consecutively. According to Monthly Chosun on the 31st, Park Bo-kyung has never joined the People Power Party. However, Park served as a member of the party’s Central Ethics Committee during Kim Jong-in’s emergency committee period (June 2020 to June 2021).
According to the People Power Party’s regulations, two-thirds or more of the members of the Central Ethics Committee, including the chairperson, must be non-party members. At that time, Park Bo-kyung was a non-party member. Regarding this suspicion, a People Power Party official criticized Rep. Kim Young-ho, calling it a "baseless allegation" and a "typical fake news attack."
Rep. Kim rebutted the media reports and explanations again. At the National Assembly Budget Committee plenary meeting that day, he said, "I clearly state that such baseless reports only increase public suspicion," and added, "Stop awkwardly calling it a fake news attack, and the People Power Party should directly question announcer Park Bo-kyung herself."
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