Opposition Voices Strong Regret Over Police Summoning of Kim Jaeseop on First Day of Audit: "Oppression of the Opposition"

On October 6, the People Power Party sharply criticized the police for summoning Assemblyman Kim Jae-seop on the first day of the National Assembly audit. The party stated, "We express our strong regret over the fact that an opposition lawmaker is headed to the police station rather than the National Assembly on the very first day of the audit," adding, "Wouldn’t the public see this as oppression of the opposition? Are they not wary of public scrutiny?"

Members of the National Policy Committee belonging to the People Power Party held a press conference at the National Assembly’s press center that morning. They said, "The police should uphold political neutrality, and the National Assembly should bring necessary witnesses to the audit hearing so that the truth can be presented to the public. If the opposition is investigated while those in power are shielded, the public will not tolerate it," they declared.

Yonhap News Agency

Previously, Assemblyman Kim was reported to police for allegedly violating the Public Official Election Act after raising suspicions about former Seoul mayoral candidate Jung Won-oh’s business trip to Cancun, Mexico, during his tenure as Seongdong-gu mayor. On the day of the audit, Kim was summoned by the police as a suspect.

Seo Il-jun, opposition secretary of the National Policy Committee, commented, "We are not here to debate the details or the merits of each case," and added, "The National Assembly audit is a constitutional duty through which lawmakers oversee and check the government on behalf of the people. But why did the police choose to summon him specifically on the very first day of the audit?"

Seo further stated, "What is even more difficult to accept is that critical figures who must be called to the National Assembly are being blocked from taking the witness stand," and continued, "Former policy chief Kim Yongbeom—who is essential for revealing the truth behind the introduction of leveraged ETFs—could not be designated as a witness because of ruling party opposition."

Seo also said, "While the request to summon key officials to question policies that have caused massive harm to the public is ignored, opposition lawmakers are summoned to the police on the very first day of the audit," and argued, "If this is the reality in Korea today, we can hardly call it normal."

He added, "Assemblyman Kim has already stated his intention to submit his opinion in writing to the police. Yet, it is questionable why an appearance was required specifically on the first day of the audit," reiterating, "If the opposition is investigated while those in power are protected, the public will not tolerate it."

Party leadership also condemned the situation. Floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik said that morning, "This is not an accident but a politically motivated investigation by the police, executed in sync with the audit schedule, and a petty act of political retribution by the police after losing the Seoul mayoral election," and he added, "We denounce the political police who trample the opposition to further the Lee Jae-myung administration’s political interests."

Chief deputy spokesperson Choi Eun-seok, speaking to reporters after the meeting, said, "This is a petty act of political retaliation by the ruling party and a blatant attempt to obstruct the National Assembly audit," adding, "We will closely monitor the progress of the investigation and respond accordingly with follow-up measures."

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