Nominee Kim Kyuhyun for NIS Director Hearing... Focused Questioning on the 'Sewol Ferry Disaster'

Kim Kyuhyun Denies All Evasion Allegations
Official Apology to Sewol Ferry Victims
People Power Party Lawmakers Defend Kim Kyuhyun

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] At the National Assembly confirmation hearing for Kim Gyu-hyun, nominee for the Director of the National Intelligence Service, held on the 25th, the issue of whether Kim, who was the First Deputy Director of the National Security Office during the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster, tried to evade responsibility came to the forefront. Kim denied all allegations against him, including false and fabricated reports and unauthorized revisions to the national crisis management guidelines.

During the hearing of the Special Committee for the National Investigation into the Sewol Ferry Sinking (Sewol National Investigation Special Committee), Kim was asked by Rep. Jo Jung-sik of the Democratic Party whether he falsely reported to the committee the initial time he reported to the president and the time he first gave instructions. Kim responded, “I do not agree.” According to the prosecution’s investigation, Kim first submitted a written report to then-President Park Geun-hye between 10:19 and 10:20 a.m. on April 16, 2014, but Kim told the Sewol National Investigation Special Committee that he reported at 10 a.m. Kim explained that he only realized this discrepancy late during the prosecution’s investigation.

Regarding the allegation that he unauthorizedly revised the national crisis management guidelines during the Sewol disaster, Kim replied, “I do not recall being directly involved in revising the national crisis management guidelines.”

He also issued an official apology to the victims and bereaved families of the Sewol disaster. He stated, “There was no official opportunity to apologize to them,” and added, “I sincerely apologize and offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved families who have suffered an indescribable tragedy due to the Sewol ferry.” He further said, “I regret that if everyone had fulfilled their responsibilities, this incident would not have happened, and I apologize that the state failed to fulfill its duty to protect the property and lives of its citizens.”

Members of the People Power Party on the National Assembly Intelligence Committee defended Kim in relation to this. When Rep. Jo Tae-yong said, “It might give the impression that the nominee is currently on trial related to the Sewol incident, but that is completely untrue,” Kim briefly replied, “Yes.” They also appeared to give Kim a chance to explain regarding the unauthorized changes to the national crisis management guidelines. Rep. Jo added, “If the purpose is to examine whether Kim is suitable to lead the National Intelligence Service, focusing on unrelated or irrelevant issues like this (the Sewol disaster) from morning through afternoon questioning means the National Assembly is not properly fulfilling its responsibility to the people.”

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