The National Assembly's Operating Committee has decided to summon Im Kwang-hyun, head of the Presidential Office, Ha Jun-kyung, head of the Policy Office, Hong Ik-pyo, senior secretary for political affairs, and Wi Sung-lak, head of the National Security Office, as witnesses for the upcoming audit of the Presidential Office. The People Power Party argued that former chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik, former policy chief Kim Yong-beom, and first secretary Kim Hyun-ji should also be included as witnesses, but this was not accepted.
During a full committee meeting on October 21, the proposal to summon witnesses for the Presidential Office audit passed with 15 votes in favor and 5 against among the 20 members present.
Han Byeong-do, the committee chair from the Democratic Party, stated, "There has not been a single instance of a first secretary appearing for an audit since the 2000s," and added, "Jeong Jin-sang, the former head of the Democratic Party's political coordination office, has not held any public office since the current administration began, so there is no valid reason for the National Assembly to summon him."
He emphasized that both Kang and Kim have already resigned, and even if they were to appear as witnesses, they would be unable to provide answers due to their obligations to maintain confidentiality. He suggested that the handover of duties to their successors has likely been completed, allowing for inquiries about major policies.
The ruling and opposition parties clashed fiercely over the selection of witnesses for the audit. The ruling party criticized the opposition for attempting to create political strife by summoning witnesses based solely on allegations. In contrast, the opposition insisted that Kang, Kim, and Kim should appear to address allegations regarding the so-called 'Gyeonggi-Seongnam line' and the process of introducing single-item leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Kim Seung-soo, the People Power Party's committee member, remarked, "The purpose of summoning individuals with allegations against them is to investigate those allegations during the audit. If the allegations are substantiated, they should face trial, not be called to the audit."
Representative Lee Sang-hwi also pointed out, "There have been many instances of questionable appointments during the audits of various committees. Is it reasonable for someone who was at the bottom of the interview and document process to become a head of an agency?" He argued that to clarify these issues, those under suspicion must come forward to resolve them.
During the heated exchanges, People Power Party member Yoon Yong-geun suggested that President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung should be summoned as witnesses regarding delays in the relocation of the presidential residence, leading to a loud back-and-forth between the parties.
Yoon and other members of the People Power Party referenced the Democratic Party's decision to summon First Lady Kim Geon-hee as a witness during the 2024 National Audit, questioning, "Why can’t Kim Hye-kyung be summoned? Where is the sanctuary?" In response, Han and other ruling party members dismissed this as "nonsense." Ultimately, after intense clashes between the parties, the proposal for witness summons was passed through a vote led by the Democratic Party.
Meanwhile, the Operating Committee has agreed to change the schedule for the National Audit. Consequently, the audit of the Presidential Office, originally set for October 30, will now take place on the afternoon of October 29. The National Human Rights Commission will be audited on the morning of the 29th, followed by the National Assembly Secretariat on the 30th.
During a full committee meeting on October 21, the proposal to summon witnesses for the Presidential Office audit passed with 15 votes in favor and 5 against among the 20 members present.
Han Byeong-do, the committee chair from the Democratic Party, stated, "There has not been a single instance of a first secretary appearing for an audit since the 2000s," and added, "Jeong Jin-sang, the former head of the Democratic Party's political coordination office, has not held any public office since the current administration began, so there is no valid reason for the National Assembly to summon him."
He emphasized that both Kang and Kim have already resigned, and even if they were to appear as witnesses, they would be unable to provide answers due to their obligations to maintain confidentiality. He suggested that the handover of duties to their successors has likely been completed, allowing for inquiries about major policies.
The ruling and opposition parties clashed fiercely over the selection of witnesses for the audit. The ruling party criticized the opposition for attempting to create political strife by summoning witnesses based solely on allegations. In contrast, the opposition insisted that Kang, Kim, and Kim should appear to address allegations regarding the so-called 'Gyeonggi-Seongnam line' and the process of introducing single-item leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Kim Seung-soo, the People Power Party's committee member, remarked, "The purpose of summoning individuals with allegations against them is to investigate those allegations during the audit. If the allegations are substantiated, they should face trial, not be called to the audit."
Representative Lee Sang-hwi also pointed out, "There have been many instances of questionable appointments during the audits of various committees. Is it reasonable for someone who was at the bottom of the interview and document process to become a head of an agency?" He argued that to clarify these issues, those under suspicion must come forward to resolve them.
During the heated exchanges, People Power Party member Yoon Yong-geun suggested that President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung should be summoned as witnesses regarding delays in the relocation of the presidential residence, leading to a loud back-and-forth between the parties.
Yoon and other members of the People Power Party referenced the Democratic Party's decision to summon First Lady Kim Geon-hee as a witness during the 2024 National Audit, questioning, "Why can’t Kim Hye-kyung be summoned? Where is the sanctuary?" In response, Han and other ruling party members dismissed this as "nonsense." Ultimately, after intense clashes between the parties, the proposal for witness summons was passed through a vote led by the Democratic Party.
Meanwhile, the Operating Committee has agreed to change the schedule for the National Audit. Consequently, the audit of the Presidential Office, originally set for October 30, will now take place on the afternoon of October 29. The National Human Rights Commission will be audited on the morning of the 29th, followed by the National Assembly Secretariat on the 30th.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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