Seol Min-sim's 'Referee Theory' Drives Senior Opposition Lawmakers Kwon Seong-dong and Kim Ki-hyun

Support for North Korean Nuclear Power, Chief Justice Kim Myung-su Leads Issue
Limitations Also Partially Confirmed Against the Giant Ruling Party

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Ahead of the Lunar New Year, the opposition is repeatedly raising calls to judge the Moon Jae-in administration by leading controversies over the North Korean nuclear power plant support document and the lie controversy involving Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo. Senior members of the People Power Party, Kwon Seong-dong and Kim Ki-hyun, are taking the lead in capturing Lunar New Year public sentiment.

Kwon Seong-dong, Chairman of the Special Committee for the Investigation of the Anti-Nuclear Power and North Korean Nuclear Power Policies of the People Power Party
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 9th, Kwon, who serves as the chairman of the People Power Party's 'Special Committee for the Truth Investigation on Nuclear Phase-out and North Korean Nuclear Power Plant,' raised his voice regarding the North Korean nuclear power plant support document, saying, "The Democratic Party of Korea must accept the demand for a state audit." He stated, "As the opposition, we do not have definite information or data, but we are raising reasonable suspicions based on common sense and principles," emphasizing, "This is something the ruling party must resolve."

Kwon pointed out, "In the past, when we (formerly the Saenuri Party) were the majority party, we accepted the opposition's demand for a state audit," adding, "The ruling party's refusal to accept this is because they lack confidence." He criticized, "Even a civil servant or a child in Samcheok would see that the government's excuses do not make sense," and said, "There is no reason for an elite official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to bring up nuclear power plants, which President Moon dislikes. The claim that this was merely considered as a simple idea cannot be trusted."

Kim, who leads the 'Truth Investigation Team on the Impeachment Deal,' is continuing his offensive, including one-person protests, demanding the resignation of Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo. Kim is leading the issue of the lie controversy involving Chief Justice Kim, specifying a deadline for resignation before the Lunar New Year.

Beyond the lie controversy that surfaced during the resignation process of Busan High Court Chief Judge Lim Seong-geun, Kim is applying all-around pressure by raising suspicions about the 2017 National Assembly confirmation process, including allegations of lobbying for confirmation and issues related to judicial personnel appointments.

Kim Ki-hyun, Head of the People Power Party's Impeachment Deal Truth Investigation Team
Photo by Yonhap News

However, despite the opposition's pressure and offensives, breakthroughs such as a state audit or Chief Justice Kim's resignation are hardly visible. Regarding the whistleblower on the North Korean nuclear power plant support document, Kwon said, "It must come from someone in the Blue House or a civil servant in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy," adding, "The reality is that there is nothing that can be called a whistleblower." He said, "From our side, we have no choice but to continue making claims as a way to appeal to the public." In other words, they must raise additional reasonable suspicions and move public opinion.

The issue related to Chief Justice Kim's resignation is the same. Not only is Chief Justice Kim refusing to resign, but there are also concerns that if he does resign, President Moon will exercise the authority to appoint his successor, preventing the next president from exercising the appointment right for the Chief Justice. Kim dismissed such controversy, saying, "It is not worth considering," and added, "(The mention of the successor's term) is a tactic by the ruling party to remove Kim."

Regarding future responses, he said, "I will continue one-person protests," and added, "During the Lunar New Year, we plan to continue one-person protests at regional bases."

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