[2021 National Audit] Chosung-eun Under Fire at Industry Committee Hearing... Opposition: "Shameless Criminal Driving a Maserati"

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] On the 7th, during the National Assembly Industry, Trade, Energy, Venture, and Small and Medium Business Committee's audit of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the government agency loan of whistleblower Jo Seong-eun, who raised suspicions of 'accusation stalking,' came under scrutiny.

Conversely, the Democratic Party of Korea continued the political tension by raising issues such as the patent problem of Lee Byung-hwan, an 'anal acupuncture' expert who took a photo with former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol.

Yang Geum-hee, a member of the People Power Party, said, "Jo Seong-eun has debts of about 240 million won including 70 million won from the Small and Medium Business Corporation and 100 million won from the Korea Technology Finance Corporation with overdue interest, but only 8.75 million won has been collected," adding, "(Jo) is a shameless person who drives a Maserati while having a deposit of over 900 million won for a lease." She then demanded Minister Kwon Chil-seung of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, "Collect the support funds from such a vicious business operator through debt collection."

Member Kwon Myeong-ho of the same party also questioned, "Why are you not recovering Jo's policy fund loan?"

Minister Kwon responded, "There are limits as debt collection must follow legal procedures," but added, "We are continuously pursuing collection, and I also think that person's (Jo's) skills are remarkable."

The opposition party also repeatedly questioned Minister Kwon about the so-called 'Daejang-dong Gate' and demanded a statement.

Member Kwon asked, "Regarding the Daejang-dong Gate in Bundang-gu, Seongnam, what do you think about the situation where residents' land was forcibly acquired and private businessmen gained astronomical unfair profits?"

Minister Kwon avoided answering, saying, "It is inappropriate to discuss."

Meanwhile, the ruling party pointed out the patent issue of Lee Byung-hwan, the 'anal acupuncture expert' who caused controversy by taking a photo with former Prosecutor General Yoon.

Democratic Party member Kim Seong-hwan questioned Patent Office Commissioner Kim Yong-rae, saying, "I do not know if the opposition candidate received anal acupuncture, but the person who took a photo with former Prosecutor General Yoon is Lee Byung-hwan, an anal acupuncture expert." He added, "He promotes it as 'the world's first anal acupuncture patent' and claims it has high preventive effects on stroke and dementia. Is it acceptable for a patent to be used like this?"

Kim further questioned, "He received a patent in 2013 for 'anal acupuncture needles for brain nerve paralysis treatment or stroke and dementia prevention and treatment,' with the application date in January 2013 and registration date in April, taking exactly 100 days. Can a patent be granted this quickly?"

In response, Commissioner Kim explained, "In 2013, patents were granted if they were new or innovative, and safety was verified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety," and added, "We will strengthen the examination standards in this area."

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