Na Kyungwon Strongly Criticizes Kim Minseok: "A President with Four Convictions and a Prime Minister Nominee with Five"

Criticism Over Criminal Convictions, Illegal Funds, and Anti-American Leanings
Calls for Withdrawal of Kim Minseok's Nomination

Na Kyungwon, a member of the People Power Party, delivered strong criticism against Kim Minseok, the nominee for Prime Minister, regarding allegations of 'political fund acceptance.'

On June 13, through Facebook, Na stated, "(Kim Minseok) is, in short, a comprehensive embodiment of Democratic Party-style corruption, carrying both the hypocrisy of Cho Kuk's double standards and Song Younggil's illegal fund scandals," adding, "This is why there are cynical remarks that Cheongsong Prison will become a cradle for the Lee Jaemyung administration's personal connections."

Kim Minseok is currently facing allegations that he borrowed tens of millions of won from a politician who had previously provided him with illegal political funds and has not repaid the amount to this day. According to the personnel hearing request submitted to the National Assembly, on April 11 and 23, 2018, he borrowed 20 million won each, totaling 40 million won, from Kang, a former regional chairperson of the Democratic Party, with the promise to repay within five years. However, it is known that he has not repaid the amount to date.

"Three times is a habit and DNA... Anti-American DNA is also a problem"

Prime Minister nominee Minseok Kim is answering reporters' questions as he arrives at the confirmation hearing office.

In this context, Na also mentioned Kim Minseok's past record. She said, "When Kim Minseok ran for Seoul Mayor in 2002, he received 200 million won from SK, resulting in a sentence of eight months in prison, suspended for two years, a fine of 200 million won, and the loss of his right to run for office for ten years. Furthermore, in 2007, he was convicted of receiving 720 million won in illegal political funds, resulting in a fine of 6 million won, a forfeiture of 720 million won, and the loss of his right to run for office for five years."

She continued, "Recently, suspicions have continued to emerge that he once again received illegal political funds under the guise of a loan," adding, "Even a single mistake would leave no room for excuses, but three times makes it a habit and part of his DNA," she strongly criticized.

Na also raised issues with Kim Minseok's ideological orientation. She stated, "What is even more serious is his anti-American DNA," and pointed out, "His history of serving prison time for orchestrating the occupation of the US Cultural Center in the 1980s demonstrates his identity, which can be summarized as 'anti-Americanism.'" She further criticized, "How can someone who has denied the value of a blood alliance serve as Prime Minister, a key pillar of the strong South Korea-US alliance? Moreover, it is a serious problem that he allegedly used his legislative power and budget as a National Assembly member to provide preferential support for his child."

"A president with four criminal convictions and a prime minister nominee with five... A serious lack of moral awareness"

Na Kyungwon, a member of the People Power Party, strongly criticized Kim Minseok, the nominee for Prime Minister, over allegations of 'political fund acceptance.' Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Na said, "The worst combination is a president with four criminal convictions and a prime minister nominee with five. This is a truly serious lack of moral awareness," adding, "This is why there is cynicism among the public, asking whether this administration values prison experience over statecraft, and why there are lamentations and self-mockery that Cheongsong Prison will become a cradle for the Lee Jaemyung administration's personal connections."

She emphasized the weight of the Prime Minister's office, stating, "The Prime Minister is the person who must immediately take responsibility for state affairs, including command of the armed forces, in the event of a presidential vacancy," and stressed, "This is not a prize to be coveted by someone tainted by corruption and anti-American DNA."

She also referred to the case of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, saying, "The reason Cho Kuk could not become Justice Minister was not just a matter of personal hypocrisy, but an issue of the rule of law and common sense in the Republic of Korea," and argued, "Kim Minseok is an even greater problem. He must not further insult the dignity of the nation. His nomination should be immediately withdrawn, and he should resign on his own."

In response, Prime Minister nominee Kim Minseok issued a statement, saying, "This case is highly characteristic of targeted investigations," and explained, "All fines, taxes, and forfeitures related to violations of the Political Funds Act have been fully paid over an extended period."

Regarding the suspicion that he used his legislative power as a National Assembly member to benefit his son's college application, he said, "I spent a long period as an outsider facing political, economic, and family difficulties, during which my children's mother took full responsibility for their education," and insisted, "My son has never used any legislative activities related to plagiarism prevention, as reported, in his college applications."