Kim Jong-in Meets Hwang Kyo-ahn: "N번방 Exposure? Leadership Should Stop Saying Useless Things"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Kim Jong-in, the General Election Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, met with Representative Hwang Kyo-ahn on the 11th and said, regarding the party leadership's initial announcement to reveal over the weekend the report about 'n번방 (Nth Room) involvement of ruling party figures' which was later retracted, "Please instruct the party leadership not to make unnecessary remarks."

Kim made these remarks during a breakfast meeting at Representative Hwang's Jongno election office in Seoul that morning.

Kim said, "(Lee Jin-bok) the General Headquarters Chief of the Election Committee, when talking about the Nth Room incident without precise confirmation, only causes confusion and unnecessarily gives the opposition an excuse," adding, "It would be better to keep quiet about such matters as much as possible. Even if you cannot do that, keeping silent would actually help the election."

Representative Hwang said, "After our conversation, we are fully aligned in direction. I believe the power of cooperation will lead to election results." However, immediately after the meeting, when speaking to reporters, he only said, "Regarding those involved in the Nth Room case, whether participants or leaders, they must be severely punished."

During the meeting, Kim also strongly criticized the party's Ethics Committee for recommending resignation rather than expulsion for candidate Cha Myung-jin of Bucheon B, Gyeonggi Province, effectively allowing him to continue his campaign. He said about the Ethics Committee's decision, "It is unacceptable," and pointed out, "If it was already explained that he is no longer a political candidate, the judgment should be based on the political situation and the election, not on whether certain conditions are met or not as if conducting a trial, which only stirred up trouble."

In response, Representative Hwang said, "I issued a statement last night to clarify the matter." Earlier, Representative Hwang had said, "It is clear that candidate Cha is no longer our party's candidate."

Kim is scheduled to join Representative Hwang's campaign rally in Daehangno, Jongno, in the afternoon.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.