"Special Room Hospitalization" Allegation of Favoritism for Hong Nam-gi's Son, Kim Jin-tae's Sharp Rebuke: "Is My Child More Important Than the People's Lives?"

Kim Jin-tae "The person involved in the allegations should be excluded from duties"
Ruling party also says "Should apologize quickly for the allegations"

Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Minister of Strategy and Finance. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Kim Jin-tae, former lawmaker and chairman of the People Power Party's 'Lee Jae-myung Corruption Verification Special Committee,' raised his voice regarding the controversy over Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance's son's 'preferential admission to Seoul National University Hospital,' stating, "If there was a request and preferential treatment, it would be a violation of the Anti-Graft Act."

On the 5th, Kim posted on his Facebook, saying, "The public cannot be admitted even if they contract COVID-19 due to a lack of hospital rooms and must undergo home treatment. Even if the coronavirus is floating around the house, the whole family cannot go outside and must fight the virus inside the home."

According to a previous KBS report, Hong's son was admitted to the infectious disease ward at Seoul National University Hospital, which does not admit general patients, for COVID-19 treatment.

Kim said, "Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister, admitted his son to a special room at Seoul National University Hospital. He reportedly had leg pain but was not an emergency patient," adding, "It is said that after the Deputy Prime Minister called the hospital director, the director instructed the staff to arrange the admission."

He continued, "Parents think the same when it comes to their children. However, if my child's leg pain comes before the lives of the people, then he is unqualified as a high-ranking public official. If there was a request and preferential treatment, it is a violation of the Anti-Graft Act," and added, "At a time when the entire nation is suffering from COVID-19, the truth must be thoroughly investigated. Until then, the Ministry of Economy and Finance will have no authority. It would be better to exclude the person involved from their duties."

Meanwhile, voices calling for a direct explanation from Deputy Prime Minister Hong have also emerged within the ruling party regarding this suspicion. On the 4th, Shin Dong-geun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, posted on his Facebook, saying, "If there is something to explain, I hope he explains it, but I also hope he quickly apologizes for the emergence of such suspicions."

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