"Did Hyunji Kim and President Lee Share a Child?" ... Democratic Party Files Complaint Against Changwon Council Member Mina Kim

The Democratic Party of Korea has filed a criminal complaint with the police against Mina Kim, a member of the Changwon Special City Council from the People Power Party, over her social media post about Hyunji Kim, the First Secretary to the Presidential Office.

On October 13, the Gyeongnam Provincial Party Committee of the Democratic Party and the Changwon City Council members held a press conference at the Changwon City Hall press center, announcing, "We are filing a complaint with the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency against Assemblywoman Kim on charges of defamation by spreading false information."

The Gyeongnam Provincial Party Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea and the Changwon City Council members are holding a press conference announcing the submission of a complaint against Councilwoman Mina Kim of Changwon City. Photo by Se-ryeong Lee

The provincial party committee stated, "Assemblywoman Kim has repeatedly caused social controversy and damaged the honor of citizens, as well as undermined the values of democracy, by neglecting her responsibilities as a local council member. We can no longer stand by and watch. A clear precedent must be set through strict legal judgment, ensuring that individuals like Assemblywoman Kim cannot attain public office."

They continued, "The judicial authorities must thoroughly investigate Assemblywoman Kim's actions and impose strict punishment in accordance with the law. The People Power Party must also fulfill its responsibility as a political party by taking immediate and decisive action to expel her."

The city council members criticized, "Assemblywoman Kim was sentenced to three months in prison, with the sentence suspended for two years, for insulting the bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster victims, yet she has shown no sign of remorse or self-reflection. This constitutes a repeat offense of the same crime and mocks the leniency shown by the judiciary."

They further demanded, "The court should immediately revoke the suspended sentence for Assemblywoman Kim and respond to the citizens' sense of justice and outrage."

Song Sunho, former chairman of the Democratic Party Gyeongnam Provincial Party Committee (from the left), Lee Jaeyoung, senior vice chairman of the provincial party committee, and lawyer Ha Guinam are holding a complaint against Kim Mina, Changwon city council member. Provided by the Democratic Party Gyeongnam Provincial Party Committee

Immediately after the press conference, the provincial party committee and city council members submitted the complaint against Assemblywoman Kim to the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency.

Ha Guinam, the lawyer representing the case, pointed out, "The fact that Secretary Hyunji Kim and President Jaemyung Lee are each married and have children with their respective spouses clearly establishes the factual context regarding extramarital affairs and childbirth."

Attorney Ha explained, "According to Article 61 of the Criminal Act, the main purpose of this complaint is to ensure that, during the period of suspended sentence, if a sentence of suspension of qualification or heavier is imposed, or if a prison term of three months is sentenced, the suspension is revoked and a new sentence is imposed."

The city council members have defined this case as a violation of the duty to maintain the dignity of public officials, defamation of citizens, and a lack of remorse. They plan to file a petition with the city council's Special Ethics Committee and seek her expulsion.

Social Network Service (SNS) post by Mina Kim, a member of the Changwon Special City Council in Gyeongnam, People Power Party. Screenshot from Social Network Service

Recently, Assemblywoman Kim posted on her social media about President Jaemyung Lee and Hyunji Kim, the First Secretary to the Presidential Office.

The post read, "Doesn't it seem like Hyunji Kim and President Lee are basically an economic community? Otherwise, how could they maintain such an economic relationship for decades unless there is something special? For example, unless they share a child? Isn't that right?"

Previously, in December 2022, she posted on her social media about the Itaewon disaster, writing statements such as, "People say they are profiting from their children," and "Did they die saving the country?" She was subsequently put on trial for insult and, in October of last year, received a suspended sentence of three months in prison.

Last month, in the first trial of a civil lawsuit filed by 150 bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster victims against Assemblywoman Kim, seeking a total of 457 million won in damages, the court ordered her to pay 143.3 million won. She has appealed the decision.