Lee Chanjin: "No Plans for Politics... Will Disband Team if 'Political Reports' Are Received" [2025 National Audit]

Answer at the National Policy Committee audit on the 27th
Former governor’s analysis team accused of “political consulting”
Lee Chanjin: “If I receive such reports, I will disband the team”

Lee Chanjin, Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service, drew a clear line on October 27, stating that he would not enter politics. In response to allegations that an internal department engaged in "political consulting" during the tenure of his predecessor, he emphasized that he would disband any team if such reports were brought to his attention.

Lee Chanjin, Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service, listens to questions from lawmakers during a comprehensive audit of the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service at the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee in Yeouido, Seoul on October 27, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

During the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee audit held that day, Lee was asked by Park Beomgye, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, "Do you have any intention of entering politics?" Lee replied, "Not at all."

Park pointed out that during the tenure of former Governor Lee Bokhyeon, an internal report was prepared by a department of the Financial Supervisory Service, stating that it was necessary to wear T-shirts with specific phrases to enhance the governor's image at external events. He argued that this amounted to "political consulting."

In response to the related question, Governor Lee said, "I do not understand why such actions are taken."

He added, "I receive reports from the relevant department once a week, but I have never received anything like that," and stated, "If such a report comes in, I will disband the team in question."

He continued, "I will first identify the issues related to the tenure of the previous governor and then prepare improvements accordingly. If such incidents recur, I will report countermeasures to the lawmakers, including personnel sanctions."

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