Kim Byung-ki Discloses Former Aides' Chatroom Amid Allegations
"Mocked Insurrection, Notified of Dismissal... Posing as Whistleblowers"
Former Aides Refute Claims as Party Members Call for Greater Self-Restraint
As Kim Byung-ki, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is engaged in a public dispute with former aides, fellow party member Park Ji-won stated, "Although he has already apologized for his inappropriate actions, he needs to exercise greater self-restraint." Park made these remarks during an interview on BBS Radio's "Morning Journal with Keum Tae-seop" on the 25th, in response to a question about the ongoing allegations surrounding Floor Leader Kim.
Park Ji-won, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving an interview with The Asia Business Daily at the National Assembly on the 3rd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
Park commented, "Conflicts with aides are always an issue in the political sphere," but added, "Before blaming others, I hope all members of the National Assembly take this as an opportunity to reflect on their own conduct."
Recently, Floor Leader Kim apologized in a group chat with Democratic Party lawmakers, stating, "I am deeply sorry for causing concern due to various reports about me." However, regarding the multiple allegations raised against him, he reportedly posted a message saying, "These are acts of personal revenge motivated by ill will," and added, "They may find other pretexts to nitpick and attack me, but I will endure the downpour. I will persevere, trusting in you, my steadfast umbrella-my fellow lawmakers."
Kim Byung-ki, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the plenary session of the National Assembly on the 24th and conversing with lawmakers. 2025.12.24 Photo by Kim Hyun-min
Previously, suspicions had been raised about Floor Leader Kim dining with a Coupang executive and staying at an expensive hotel, as well as allegations regarding airport protocol and preferential medical treatment at a local hospital.
In response, on the 25th, Floor Leader Kim disclosed conversations from a Telegram chatroom created by former aides on his social media, stating, "The informant is presumed to be a former aide I worked with in the past, who is now posing as a whistleblower through cunning rhetoric." He claimed that the former aides in the chatroom "mocked the concept of insurrection and sexually harassed a female district councilor," and argued, "After being notified of their dismissal, they harbored resentment and raised false allegations."
He criticized, "Words, requests, and favors exchanged in mutual trust with the former aides at that time have now been distorted and labeled as 'abuse of power.' They secretly recorded conversations with me and are now indiscriminately releasing them, cleverly mixing facts with distortions and falsehoods."
In response, the former aides have refuted Floor Leader Kim's claims, escalating the dispute into a mudslinging match. On the 26th, one former aide told the Chosun Ilbo, "The conversation in question was obtained when Floor Leader Kim's wife secretly installed the youngest aide's account on her own phone without the aide's consent." The former aide revealed that they had filed a complaint against Floor Leader Kim and others for violating the Communications Privacy Act and defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act.
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