[2026 National Assembly Audit] Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee Clash over Lee Jinsook... Ruling Party: "Politics That Violates Basic Decency" vs. Opposition: "Hypocrisy"

Clash over Lee Jinsook's visit to President Lee's parents' gravesite
Choi Hyeok-jin calls for Lee Jinsook's recusal and removal over "conflict of interest"

The ruling and opposition parties clashed during a parliamentary audit by the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee over People Power Party lawmaker Lee Jin-sook’s visit to President Lee Jae-myung’s parents’ graves and her allegations of violations of the Farmland Act.

During the audit on October 12, Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Jeong-heon said in a procedural statement, “Lawmaker Lee Jin-sook recently went in person to President Lee Jae-myung’s parents’ graves, took photographs, and committed an outrageous act of disrespect toward the dead.” He criticized her remarks as “so far over the line that they are beyond the pale.” He added, “What is this if not political desecration of the dead, as if she intends to dig up the grave and insult the deceased all over again?” and called for Lee to be removed from the hearing.

Lee Jin-sook, a People Power Party lawmaker, delivers a personal statement during a parliamentary audit by the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee on the 12th. Photo provided by Yonhap News.

On October 10, Lee visited the president’s parents’ graves in Bonghwa County, North Gyeongsang Province, and raised allegations of violations of the Farmland Act on social media. She claimed, “This is a place where a grave cannot be built on farmland,” adding, “Before accusing farmers of illegally speculating on farmland, President Lee Jae-myung should first move his own parents’ graves.”

At the audit that day, Lee also said, “I reported, on behalf of the public, suspicions that the graves where the president’s parents are buried together were illegally constructed.” She added, “Bonghwa County Office issued three orders to remove them, but they have not been carried out.” In response, she said, “The Democratic Party should be demanding that the president relocate the graves, so how can it accuse me of engaging in politics that disrespects the dead?”

Independent lawmaker Choi Hyuk-jin raised a conflict-of-interest concern, citing Lee’s previous role as chair of the Korea Communications Commission. Choi said, “We are holding this audit to address problems at the commission. Can the person in question really be sitting here?” He called for her to be recused and leave the hearing.

The People Power Party countered by bringing up allegations that the office of Democratic Party lawmaker Han Jun-ho had exerted pressure on KBS coverage. People Power Party lawmaker Kim Jang-gyeom said, “After it was confirmed that Han’s office had called KBS to complain, they changed their story and said it was routine work-related communication.” He added, “I question whether this is appropriate conduct for someone questioning others at an audit who should be protecting the independence and freedom of broadcasting.”

He continued, “The Democratic Party even passed legislation to remove former Korea Communications Commission Chair Lee Jin-sook and launch a new agency.” He argued, “Demanding that she be recused by dredging up her work at the time is hypocritical and applies a double standard.”

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