During National Audit, Chiefs' "You're Joking" Written Exchange Controversy... Kim Eun-hye and Kang Seung-gyu Apologize for Private Conversation

Joo Ho-young Chairman "What is the content of the private conversation?"... Two Chiefs "Cannot talk about it"
Kim Dae-gi Chief Secretary "The two chiefs acted very inappropriately"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] During the National Assembly Steering Committee’s audit of the Presidential Office on the 8th, a controversy arose when Chief of Public Relations Kim Eun-hye was caught by media cameras leaving a written note saying "You’re being ridiculous" on Chief of Civil Society Affairs Kang Seung-gyu’s memo pad. Kim immediately erased the writing, and both Chief Kang and Chief Kim explained that it was a casual conversation exchanged during the audit, but since the note was made during a legislator’s inquiry, the repercussions are expected to grow.

According to Edaily, the note was exchanged while Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Deuk-gu was questioning Chief Secretary Kim Dae-gi and National Security Office Chief Kim Seong-han regarding the response to the Itaewon tragedy. Kim was also caught immediately erasing the words with a pen.

Regarding this, Jin Seong-jun Democratic Party lawmaker said, "I saw an absolutely shocking article," and raised his voice demanding, "Identify who this person is and have them removed."

Fellow party member Park Hong-geun also requested confirmation of the note’s author, saying, "This is an insult to the National Assembly. If there is no clear apology, please take legal action for contempt of the National Assembly."

In response, Joo Ho-young, the Steering Committee Chair and member of the People Power Party, asked, "Who wrote this?" and both Chief Kang and Chief Kim stood up simultaneously.

Chief Kim came forward with a stern expression and said, "I sincerely apologize for causing controversy," explaining, "That matter was written on the memo pad while Chief Kang and I were talking about a different issue, and I erased it because I was worried it might be perceived as related to the lawmaker’s remarks, as the Democratic Party member suggested."

Chief Kim emphasized, "I sincerely apologize for causing misunderstanding. This was absolutely not related to the lawmaker’s statements or the audit situation. It was a personal, private conversation."

Chief Kang also stated, "It was a private conversation, and I shared my memo pad with Chief Kim Eun-hye and simply erased it. Since my memo pad was nearby, we were talking privately about yesterday’s matter and did it that way."

However, when Chair Joo asked about the private conversation’s content, Chief Kang replied, "I cannot discuss it because it is a private conversation."

Chair Joo then said, "You need to explain such things immediately to clear up misunderstandings," and Chief Kang responded, "There is no reason to disclose a private conversation here," adding, "It was just a minor incident between two people yesterday."

Lawmaker Jin criticized, "This is an insult to the audit," and Chair Joo also criticized, saying, "Even if it was a private conversation, it is inappropriate in the audit hall," and called them forward as stated. Chief Secretary Kim Dae-gi also said, "I am also embarrassed. The two chiefs acted very inappropriately."

Chief Kim apologized again, saying, "I sincerely apologize once more for not reflecting the gravity of the audit hall," and Chief Kang also expressed, "I am truly sorry."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Deuk-gu harshly criticized, "Lying queen Kim Eun-hye!" and said, "Not only lawmakers but also the families of the Itaewon tragedy victims are watching. This is truly unacceptable."

Chair Joo sternly warned the two chiefs, saying, "I am issuing a strict warning," and stated that follow-up measures would be discussed between the party floor leaders, then declared a recess for smooth meeting proceedings.

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