People Power Party Files Complaint Against Lee Jaemyung and Kim Hyeonji for Abuse of Power and Violation of Graft Act

Abuse of Power Allegations Over Prosecutors' Collective Walkout Inspection
Kang Hunsik, Kim Namguk, and Others Also Accused for Involvement in "Lobbying for Appointment"

The People Power Party announced on December 8 that it will file a complaint against President Lee Jaemyung and Minister of Justice Jeong Sungho on charges of abuse of power, after President Lee ordered an inspection of prosecutors who collectively walked out during the trial of former Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor Lee Hwayoung.

Additionally, Moon Jinseok, Deputy Floor Leader for Parliamentary Operations of the Democratic Party of Korea, Kim Namguk, former Secretary for Digital Communication at the Presidential Office, Kim Hyeonji, Chief of the First Aide's Office at the Presidential Office, and Kang Hunsik, Chief of Staff at the Presidential Office, will also be reported for abuse of power and violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, due to their involvement in the controversy over lobbying for the position of President of the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA).

Yonhap News Agency

The People Power Party's Office of Party Affairs Audit announced in a notice earlier that morning that it would submit two complaints on these matters. The complainants are Kwak Gyutaek, Chairman of the Legal Advisory Committee; Kim Giyun, Vice Chairman of the Legal Advisory Committee; and Choi Kisik, Yoon Yonggeun, Jeong Kyunguk, and Ha Jongdae, members of the Special Committee for the Protection of Judicial Justice and Prevention of Dictatorship.

Previously, President Lee ordered an inspection on November 26, after prosecutors collectively walked out of the Suwon District Court during the trial of former Vice Governor Lee, in protest of the court's decision not to accept a significant number of witnesses requested by the prosecution and after filing a motion to recuse the judges.

At the time, Kang Yujeong, Secretary at the Presidential Office, stated, "President Lee emphasized that the independence and respect of judges and the judiciary are the foundation of the separation of powers and the constitutional order of democracy, and are extremely important values." She added, "He instructed that a prompt and rigorous inspection and investigation be conducted regarding acts that undermine courtroom order, such as the collective walkout by the prosecutors."

Subsequently, on December 3, Minister Jeong appeared at the plenary session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee and said, "I have instructed the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in writing to conduct an inspection," adding that the inspection would be carried out by the Suwon High Prosecutors' Office.

Moon, the Deputy Floor Leader for Parliamentary Operations who is also subject to the complaint, is suspected of sending a text message to former Secretary Kim, asking him to recommend a fellow alumnus for the position of President of the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association. Former Secretary Kim replied to the message, saying, "I will recommend it to Hunsik (Chief of Staff Kang) and Hyeonji (Chief of the First Aide's Office Kim)."

At a press briefing held the previous day at the Presidential Office in Yongsan to mark six months of the Lee Jaemyung administration, Chief of Staff Kang stated, "The Office of Public Discipline conducted an investigation and inspection into myself, former Secretary Kim, and Chief Kim of the First Aide's Office," adding, "As a result, it was confirmed that former Secretary Kim did not relay the relevant information internally within the Presidential Office."