Is Kim Nam-guk Returning? Park Ji-won Says "Will Return to Standing Committee This Week"

Will Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Democratic Party who disappeared for nearly two weeks after leaving the party amid suspicions of multi-billion coin transactions, return to the National Assembly? Park Ji-won, former director of the National Intelligence Service, who recently spoke with him, predicted his return, saying, "If not this week, then from next week at the latest, he will attend the standing committee."

Park Ji-won appeared on Gwangju MBC's 'Sisa Interview Today' on the 31st and shared, "I received a call from (Representative Kim) last week. I asked, 'How are you?' and he said, 'Just staying still,' then asked, 'The National Assembly standing committee is opening, what should I do?'" updating on his current status.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Representative Kim is a member of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. His inquiry about attending the committee after a long absence can be seen as a sign of his intention to return to the National Assembly. Park Ji-won said, "(I told him) to attend (the committee)," adding, "Why wouldn't a member of the National Assembly attend when the Assembly is in session? He should diligently participate in the Ethics Committee review, and if there is a prosecution investigation, he should also sincerely cooperate and present his side. That is the principle; why would a member of the National Assembly not attend the Assembly?"

He continued, "In my view, if not this week, he will attend the standing committee from next week. I believe he will go. I also intend to advise him to do so."

Park Ji-won is not the first to mention Kim's return to the National Assembly. On the 26th, Ahn Min-seok, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "I don't think the time for reflection and remorse will take too long," adding, "He will probably return soon."

However, since the ruling party is demanding Kim's replacement on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, his return is not expected to be smooth. A replacement (sabom) is a term combining resignation and appointment, meaning that an existing committee member is removed and a new member is appointed.

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