[2021 National Audit] Park Sung-joong: "Is a former Naver employee blocking Lee Hae-jin's witness appearance?"... Yoon Young-chan: "Apologize for personal attacks"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] During the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Communications Committee’s (STIBC) audit, the ruling and opposition parties engaged in a heated debate over whether to summon Lee Hae-jin, Naver GIO (Global Investment Officer), as a witness. Park Sung-joong, the senior member of the People Power Party, raised suspicions that Yoon Young-chan, a Democratic Party member and former Naver executive, was protecting Naver, prompting Yoon to strongly demand an apology.

On the 1st, at the STIBC audit, Park stated, “I express strong regret over the Democratic Party’s protection of Naver and Kakao during the witness selection negotiations,” and pointed out, “They have been delaying the witness selection of Lee Hae-jin and Kim Beom-su until now.”

He added, “Last year, the Democratic Party blocked the witness selection of Lee Hae-jin until the end, and they are blocking it again this year,” criticizing, “There are rumors that the Democratic Party’s Euljiro Committee, which claims to prevent platform companies’ tyranny, is being blocked by former Naver members within the STIBC.” Park asked, “Like Governor Lee Jae-myung’s Daejang-dong scandal, is there something shady involving Naver and Kakao connected to the Democratic Party?” and said, “If there is a will to stop the tyranny of platform companies, I urge the selection of Naver and Kakao as witnesses.”

Yoon Young-chan, a Democratic Party member and former Naver executive, immediately pushed back. Yoon said, “I strongly regret the personal attack against me through remarks that could identify a fellow member,” and demanded, “Park Sung-joong, the senior member, should apologize.” He further criticized, “If there are rumors that the senior member called the two chairpersons of Naver and Kakao with bias, what will you do?” and added, “If there are rumors, who did you hear them from? It is the minimum courtesy to speak with accurate evidence.”

After Yoon’s remarks, as the debate between ruling and opposition members continued, Lee Won-wook, the STIBC chairman, stepped in to mediate. Lee said, “It would be desirable to make cautious remarks about fellow members,” and added, “We were unable to open the session this morning, and if controversy continues, the audit may be further disrupted. I ask for your understanding and will use this request to resolve the controversy.”

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