"The Core Issue Is Actual Conduct and Responsibility"
Pressure Mounts Over Unification Church Special Prosecutor
Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, posted a critical message likening Kim Byung-ki, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, to Park Narae, in response to Kim's disclosure of Telegram conversations with his aides.
Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, posted a critical message toward Kim Byunggi, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, saying he was "explaining it in the style of Park Narae."
On December 26, Lee posted an AI-generated image combining Kim Byung-ki and comedian Park Narae on his social networking service (SNS), stating, "Today, our party's Secretary-General Lee Kiin made an analogy on a broadcast that accurately pinpointed the essence of the issue. Conflicts with managers or aides are peripheral." He continued, "The core issue is the 'actual conduct' and the 'responsibility' of the person involved. The personal predicament of Floor Leader Kim Byung-ki must not become an obstacle to the major issue of the 'Unification Church special prosecutor.' Do not neglect your public duties for the sake of personal defense," he criticized.
Previously, Lee Kiin, Secretary-General of the Reform New Party, commented on a broadcast regarding Kim's response, saying, "When your own fault is obvious, but you point fingers at your managers, Kim Byung-ki's behavior is reminiscent of Park Narae. The public also asks Park Narae, 'Why do you mention your manager when it was your own wrongdoing?' It seems that Floor Leader Kim is now making explanations in the style of Park Narae." He added, "It is highly inappropriate to stigmatize and attack aides by disclosing illegally obtained Telegram conversations. In the end, it's just shooting yourself in the foot."
Kim Byung-ki, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, has been embroiled in allegations including receiving hotel accommodation vouchers from Korean Air, controversy over requesting airport protocol during his family's overseas visits, and suspicions of preferential treatment for medical care at a local hospital.
This criticism comes amid a series of allegations surrounding Floor Leader Kim. Recently, an MBC report revealed that Kim's eldest son, while working at the National Intelligence Service, appeared to have sent a request for verification of intelligence information to Kim's parliamentary aides. According to the report, on August 22 of last year, Kim called his aides and asked, "Please help my son," after which his son sent a text message asking them to verify whether the President-elect of Indonesia would visit Korea and whether certain companies would be visited.
In response, Floor Leader Kim disclosed parts of a Telegram chatroom involving former aides, pointing to them as being behind the allegations. He claimed, "Words, requests, and help exchanged in trust have now been twisted into so-called abuse of power." However, the former aides countered, "We never handed over the chatroom contents to Floor Leader Kim Byung-ki's side. (Violations of the Protection of Communications Secrets Act and others) are serious criminal acts, and we expect appropriate punishment," submitting a complaint to the police.
In addition, Floor Leader Kim faces allegations of receiving hotel accommodation vouchers from Korean Air, requesting airport protocol during his family's overseas visits, and receiving preferential treatment for medical care at a local hospital. Regarding the accommodation voucher controversy, he admitted, "Using the voucher was wrong," and expressed his intention to return it, but the dispute over his explanation continues.
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