Members of the ruling People Power Party's National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee expressed strong opposition on October 6 to the police summons of Representative Kim Jae-seop, calling it "clear political suppression." They indicated that the party would consider further actions depending on the investigation's outcome.
During a press conference held at the National Assembly, committee members, including the committee's secretary, Seo Il-jun, focused on the timing of the police summons on the first day of the National Assembly audit.
Earlier, Kim was reported to have been accused of raising suspicions regarding former Democratic Party mayoral candidate Jeong Won-o's trip to Cancun, Mexico, during his tenure as the head of Seongdong District. Kim appeared as a suspect at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit for questioning on the same day.
Seo criticized the police's decision, stating, "Kim has expressed his intention to submit his opinions in writing to the police. One must question why he was required to appear on the first day of the National Assembly audit."
Representative Choi Eun-seok added, "Demanding the attendance of an opposition lawmaker on the first day of the National Assembly audit is a clear act of political suppression and an obstruction of the audit process," calling it a "petty political retaliation" against Kim. He also mentioned that the party plans to take additional measures based on the investigation's findings.
Additionally, they raised concerns about the failure to select witnesses for the National Assembly audit, as requested by the opposition. Seo pointed out that key figures, such as former Blue House Policy Chief Kim Yong-beom, who are essential for clarifying the introduction of single-item leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs), were not selected as witnesses due to opposition from the ruling party.
He remarked, "If opposition lawmakers are summoned by the police while key figures responsible for government policies cannot be called to the National Assembly audit, it is not a normal situation for South Korea."
Meanwhile, upon arriving at the police station in Mapo, Kim stated, "It is the day the National Assembly audit begins, yet I find myself standing in front of the police station. This is clear political suppression and a blatant attempt by the regime to eliminate me." He added, "The very act of summoning an opposition lawmaker for questioning on the first day of the audit indicates a distinct political motive."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.