Kim Byung-min: "Hong Joon-pyo is quite far from the public's expectations... Not the attitude of a public official"

"Hong, lacks empathy even though ordinary citizens are suffering"
"Kim Gun-hee luxury shopping? Only bought a tie for a bodyguard"

Kim Byung-min, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, criticized Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, who sparked controversy over 'heavy rain golf,' saying, "As a senior party member who has even run for president and a metropolitan local government head, it is common sense to lead by example and set a model."

In an interview on the 19th with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' Kim said, "The golf during the flood disaster is controversial, but the post-response and explanations seem quite distant from the public's expectations."

Kim Byung-min, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Regarding the party's Central Ethics Committee's decision to discuss whether to initiate disciplinary action against Mayor Hong, Kim explained, "Disciplinary action is possible when party rules and ethics regulations are violated, causing harm to the party's development or resulting in public disapproval. It seems the Ethics Committee has decided to make a comprehensive judgment on the matter."

In response to Mayor Hong's rebuttal asking, "Is there a regulation in the public service that prohibits golfing on weekends?" Kim pointed out, "Even ordinary citizens, not just public officials, think about what they can do with empathy and concern. The attitude of 'I followed the manual' or 'I did nothing wrong' is far from the basic stance expected of high-ranking public officials."

He added, "Sharing sorrow, offering comfort, and thinking about how to overcome disasters are basic empathetic abilities that go beyond being a public official and are human qualities."

Regarding the controversy over First Lady Kim Geon-hee visiting a luxury store during her visit to Lithuania, Kim said, "The Presidential Office explained that she did not purchase anything, and that one of the bodyguards who accompanied her the next day bought only his own tie. However, political attacks continue in various forms one after another."

When the host asked, "Is there time for a bodyguard to go back to a luxury store and buy something while on duty protecting the First Lady?" Kim replied, "If the president's spouse tells the bodyguard to shop for and buy personal items, instructing the bodyguard to do so is not common sense."

He emphasized, "If necessary items were to be purchased, it would be standard procedure for a staff member from the secretariat to go and bring each item. First Lady Kim did not buy anything at the luxury store."

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