[Summary] Opposition Asks Blue House About 'Democratic Party By-election Nomination'… Ruling Party Responds "Ask a Proper Question"

National Assembly Operations Committee to Hold State Audit on Oct 4 for Blue House Presidential Secretariat, National Security Office, and Presidential Security Service
Opposition Criticizes "President's Selective Silence," Ruling Party Pushes Back

Kim Jeong-jae, member of the People Power Party. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 4th, during the National Assembly's National Inspection Committee hearing targeting the Blue House, including the Presidential Secretariat, a heated exchange occurred between the ruling and opposition parties over whether the Democratic Party's candidates would run in the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections.

On the morning of the hearing, Kim Jeongjae, a member of the People Power Party, addressed Roh Young-min, Chief of the Presidential Secretariat, saying, "In 2015, when elected officials committed serious misconduct, the Democratic Party announced an innovation plan of no nomination in the relevant by-election areas," adding, "President Moon Jae-in at the time said, 'This is the starting point of political development,' and even stated that he would resign from his position if the innovation plan was rejected."

He continued, "In October of that year, President Moon said, 'A party responsible for a by-election should not field a candidate,' but the innovation plan, which was so proudly touted, was discarded overnight by the newly appointed party leader Lee Nak-yeon," criticizing the decision.

Kim said, "Yet, President Moon and former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk (then Innovation Committee member) remain silent. When it is disadvantageous to them, they change their words or positions as if nothing happened. That is why they are mocked as 'lip-progressives,'" and questioned, "Is it appropriate for the Democratic Party to field candidates in the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections?"

In response, Democratic Party members shouted back, "Are you conducting a National Inspection on the Democratic Party or the Blue House right now?", "Please ask proper questions," and "Why are you auditing a political party?"

Chairman Kim Taenyeon of the National Inspection Committee requested both ruling and opposition members to "calm down," but the commotion continued. Some members also raised their voices toward Chief Roh, saying, "This is not something for the Chief to answer."

No Young-min, Chief of Staff to the President, is reporting on duties at the National Assembly Steering Committee's audit of the Presidential Secretariat, National Security Office, and Presidential Security Service held on the 4th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

After order was restored, Chief Roh stated, "The President has never expressed a position on internal party activities and decisions, especially those related to elections," drawing a clear line.

Kim then asked again, "There are many criticisms that the Democratic Party's nominations would cause secondary harm to the victims of Oh Keo-don and Park Won-soon. What is the Blue House's position on this?"

Chief Roh replied, "We try to avoid expressing positions on political issues and politicized matters between parties as much as possible," to which Kim responded, "Once again, selective silence. This is precisely another form of secondary harm to the victims," pointing out.

After Kim's questioning time ended, Moon Jeongbok, a Democratic Party member, requested a procedural statement, saying, "An opposition member made insulting remarks about the President during the National Inspection," and questioned, "Is it appropriate for a National Assembly member to speak in a way that insults the President?"

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