[2023 National Audit] Opposition Lawmaker Kim Byung-wook "No Memory of Discussing 'False Reports'"

On the 17th, Kim Byung-wook, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea suspected of involvement in false reporting regarding President Yoon Seok-yeol's 'Busan Savings Bank investigation cover-up allegation' during the last presidential election when he was the People Power Party candidate, denied ever making the statements mentioned in the prosecution's warrant.

Kim Byung-wook, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

On the same day, during the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's audit of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, when Park Hyung-soo, a member of the People Power Party, displayed a PowerPoint (PPT) in the form of a conversation summary titled 'Yoon Seok-yeol Candidate Attack Conspiracy' featuring Kim, Kim’s position was conveyed through Song Ki-heon, a Democratic Party member.

Song said, "We received a protest from Representative Kim," adding, "He does not recall making such statements directly, and it seems such remarks came up during conversations with his aides." He continued, "Since Representative Park displayed the PPT, viewers might get the impression that the conversation proceeded in that order," and argued, "This content could cause significant harm without accurate fact-checking regarding a fellow lawmaker." Song also pointed out, "Because it is written like a transcript, others might perceive it as an actual recording."

The PPT contained content suggesting that Lee Cheol-soo, cousin of 'Daejang-dong broker' Jo Woo-hyung, said, "We need to frame that Candidate Yoon followed unfair orders from former Presidential Chief of Civil Affairs Choi Jae-kyung, who was his superior," and that Kim allegedly said, "I will organize everything and try to make it for (Democratic Party candidate) Lee Jae-myung."

During questioning of Song Kyung-ho, head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Representative Park claimed, "At that time, Representative Kim Byung-wook was also present at the meeting coordinating the reporting direction. He even met with a person named Lee Cheol-soo and said, 'I will make it.'"

He added, "At that time, Representative Kim was the chairman of the Democratic Party’s Hwacheon Daeyu Truth Investigation Task Force. He was, so to speak, part of the campaign," and insisted, "The prosecution must thoroughly investigate whether there is any connection to this matter."

After Kim’s protest was conveyed, Representative Park responded in a personal statement, saying, "The PPT I displayed is based on media reports," and countered, "Representative Kim’s honor is important, and isn’t my honor important as well? I deeply regret this."

The content of the PPT was included in the warrant issued when the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's Special Investigation Team on the 'Presidential Election Interference Public Opinion Manipulation Case' (led by Kang Baek-shin, Head of Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 1) conducted a search and seizure on the 11th of Kim’s aide Choi and reporter Heo Jae-hyun, who operates the internet media outlet Report Act. The warrant details were disclosed by reporter Heo.

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