[why&next] National Assembly Files Perjury Complaint Against Google President Kim Kyung-hoon... What Happens Next?

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Kim Kyung-hoon, President of Google Korea, is giving a free speech at the New Entrepreneurship Declaration Ceremony held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 24th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] The National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee resolved to file a complaint against Kim Kyung-hoon, President of Google Korea, on charges of perjury, but it has been confirmed that the complaint has not yet been submitted. In the past, among witnesses accused of perjury during National Assembly inspections, there have been few cases actually punished for perjury, and legal interpretations suggesting that it is difficult to judge Kim's answers as perjury have continued, making punishment unlikely.

On the 24th, during the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Science and ICT at the National Assembly, Committee Chairperson Jeong Cheong-rae brought up the issue of filing a perjury complaint against a general witness related to the national audit. Unusually, both ruling and opposition parties agreed.

Why was the President of Google Korea reported?

Kim was reported due to his consistent "I don't know" responses and attitude during the National Assembly audit of the Broadcasting and Communications Commission on the 21st. In particular, criticism erupted from both ruling and opposition lawmakers who claimed that Kim deliberately reduced the numbers when answering questions about Google's domestic sales. In the 2020 audit by the Political Affairs Committee, Im Jae-hyun, former Executive Director of Google Korea, answered that the domestic sales scale, including app store sales, was 1.4 trillion won. Kim stated last year’s sales were in the 290 billion won range.

Kim explained, "Domestic app store sales are recorded under the Singapore corporation's sales, so I am not well aware of related sales." Criticism followed that he was presenting advertising revenue as if it were the total revenue of Google Korea. Also, when asked about the number of Google Korea employees or the scale of domestic YouTube subscribers, Kim gave indifferent answers, saying "I don't know the details well." Chairperson Jeong Cheong-rae pointed out, "Saying you don't know when you actually do is also perjury," adding, "Ignoring the National Assembly is not only about shouting or showing a bad attitude."

The "bland answers" from Google officials during the audit have been a continuous source of controversy. John Lee, former Market Manager of Google Korea, who appeared at the 2018-2019 audits, was known as a Korean-American fluent in Korean, but was criticized for bringing an interpreter and answering only in English as a "time delay tactic." In the 2020 audit, former Executive Director Im Jae-hyun gave consistently vague answers. Im was also accused of perjury.

Procedures after submitting the complaint

The National Assembly has established legal measures such as the "Act on Testimony, Inspection, and Records in the National Assembly" to file complaints for contempt of the National Assembly and perjury. Accordingly, the National Assembly can file complaints with the prosecution for witnesses' refusal to testify or perjury. The Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee, led by Chairperson Jeong Cheong-rae, decided to prepare a complaint against President Kim Kyung-hoon under the Act on Testimony, Inspection, and Records in the National Assembly. According to the law, perjury is a serious crime punishable by imprisonment from one year to ten years. This reflects the meaning that false testimony given in the National Assembly on behalf of the people shakes the foundation of democracy. Prosecutors must conclude investigations within two months from the date the complaint is received, and the Prosecutor General must promptly report the results in writing to the National Assembly.

Kim also falls under Article 13 concerning the crime of contempt of the National Assembly. If a witness damages the authority of the National Assembly through assault, threats, or other insulting behavior, they may be punished by imprisonment of up to five years or a fine between 10 million and 50 million won. A National Assembly administrative official said, "We are preparing to submit the complaint," adding, "Once the complaint is submitted, it becomes the jurisdiction of the judicial authorities."

However, charges such as perjury require specific factual details and detailed legal interpretation, making actual punishment difficult. There have been almost no cases where witnesses who were reported were punished. It is also rare for the National Assembly to actually submit complaints due to differences between ruling and opposition parties. No witness has been punished yet in the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee. A National Assembly official explained, "It is unusual that the complaint against President Kim Kyung-hoon was passed unanimously by both ruling and opposition parties," and added, "We will proceed according to the procedures."

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