At the National Assembly Steering Committee plenary session on the 21st, the ruling and opposition parties clashed over the adoption of witnesses to attend the Office of the President parliamentary audit next week. The People Power Party argued, “The Democratic Party of Korea’s refusal to adopt witnesses has gone too far,” while the Democratic Party countered, “It’s absurd to demand the first lady’s attendance without evidence,” leading to raised voices.
During the session, People Power Party Rep. Yoon Yong-geun said, “Seventeen months after President Lee Jae Myung took office, he still insists on using the Hannam-dong residence despite acknowledging its numerous problems. Doesn’t this show he has no intention of moving into the Cheong Wa Dae residence?” He added, “Is he delaying the move out of fear of the superstition that entering Cheong Wa Dae brings misfortune, as rumors suggest?” He continued, “Only President Lee and first lady Kim Hea Kyung know the real reason. We requested them as witnesses, but the ruling party refused.”
Democratic Party Steering Committee Chairman Han Byung-do responded, “Are you suggesting President Lee and the first lady as witnesses?” He stated, “Debate is always welcome, but such baseless claims should not be made.” Democratic Party lawmakers loudly protested, prompting People Power Party members to retort, “Where is the untouchable domain?” and “Why can’t we even propose witnesses?”
The adoption of Kim Hyun-ji, Cheong Wa Dae personal secretary to the president, as a witness also sparked debate. People Power Party insisted on summoning her to investigate allegations of “interference in personnel appointments.” In response, Democratic Party Rep. Jeon Eun-soo said, “She is a senior secretary who must always perform duties near the president. Present evidence if there are suspicions of personnel interference instead of spreading rumors.” People Power Party Steering Committee secretary Kim Seung-soo countered, “Isn’t summoning witnesses the purpose of uncovering suspicions?”
The opposition party also criticized the presidential office for refusing to submit requested documents.
Rep. Kim Seung-soo stated, “Issues such as the president’s disaster response, golf schedule, personnel controversies, judicial risks, inter-Korean remittances, and the first lady’s overseas visits are all of public interest. Failing to submit even a single document makes it unclear whether the Steering Committee audit should proceed or not.” People Power Party Rep. Kim Min-jeon added, “While we understand the reluctance to disclose budgets related to presidential visits or the first lady’s Second Office, shouldn’t policy decision-making documents be submitted?”
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