▲ Special Inspector nominee Choi Gil-soo answers questions from committee members during a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on September 18.
Rival parties clashed on September 18 over the scope of the special inspector's duties during a confirmation hearing for nominee Choi Gil-soo.
While the Democratic Party of Korea called for inspections into the former Yoon Suk Yeol administration once the nominee is appointed, the People Power Party urged inspections into Kim Hyun-ji, Chief of the First Attached Office at the Blue House, and President Lee Jae-myung's children.
Democratic Party Representative Kim Dong-ah said, "Under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, despite there being no reason not to appoint a senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, they intentionally chose not to appoint one and handled duties through a secretary instead."
He added, "In that process, there were illegal solicitations and acts of personnel intervention, and if such matters are uncovered during the current review of Blue House materials, there must be a strong willingness to conduct thorough inspections."
Representative Park Ji-won (five-term) of the same party also urged, "The law also allows investigations into corruption involving former presidential senior secretaries," adding, "The Yoon Suk Yeol administration is an insurrection regime. While the special counsel on insurrection investigates and conducts numerous trials, any shortcomings must be inspected."
The People Power Party focused on questioning whether there is a willingness to conduct inspections, citing allegations that Attached Office Chief Kim is interfering in Blue House personnel appointments.
People Power Party Representative Joo Jin-woo asked, "If concrete allegations emerge regarding Chief Kim's involvement in personnel affairs, would she become a subject of inspection?" and questioned, "Do you have the will and plan to inspect not just senior secretaries, but also allegations of personnel involvement surrounding them?"
Representative Joo also released a screenshot from social media at the hearing that day, saying it was a photo taken together by a Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur and President Lee Jae-myung's son.
He said, "(The cryptocurrency entrepreneur) wrote 'Lee Dong-ho' in English and 'Korean President Son' underneath to show off that he is the son of the South Korean president," adding, "With circumstances like this, we need to examine with what money he met such a person, and whether he participated in cryptocurrency fraud or was taken advantage of."
In response, Democratic Party Representative Kim Han-kyu pointed out regarding the photo disclosed by Representative Joo, "That photo was released last year as a 'shocking exclusive' by Hover Lab, whose host was arrested and indicted for spreading false information."
Representative Kwak Kyu-taek of the same party also emphasized, "Even if the attached office chief is not subject to inspection, the presidential chief of staff, senior secretary for personnel affairs, and senior secretary for civil affairs who carry out personnel appointments upon solicitation are naturally subject to inspection," adding, "A thorough inspection must be conducted regarding the public's suspicions."
The People Power Party also voiced dissatisfaction over the way Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chair Seo Young-kyo and ruling party committee executive secretary Representative Kim Eui-kyeom conducted the meeting.
Representative Kim, who was acting as committee chair on behalf of Chair Seo during the hearing, pointed out during Representative Kim Min-jeon's questioning from the People Power Party, noting her mention of Chief Kim's career and asking, "Does this not fall into the realm of private life?"
In response, People Power Party Representative Kwak Kyu-taek showed displeasure, saying, "You should not comment on each and every question."
Chair Seo Young-kyo said, "The scope of what a special inspector can do is strictly defined by law," adding, "You cannot just tell them to do whatever without restraint."
This marks the first time in 11 years and six months, since March 2015, that a parliamentary confirmation hearing has been held for a special inspector nominee.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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