People Power Party: "President Lee Warns Against Private Gain? Kim Hyunji Should Appear at National Assembly Audit"

"If the allegations are 'unfounded concerns,' she should appear before the National Assembly audit committee"

On the 24th, the People Power Party said, “President Lee Jae-myung has stressed that reform must not be exploited for private gain. Yet why is he staying silent as questions are raised about whether power and private interests have become intertwined right in his inner circle?” The party added, “Chief Kim Hyunji should be dismissed immediately.”

In a commentary issued that day, Choi Eunseok, the People Power Party’s senior deputy floor spokesperson, said, “If the public’s suspicions about Chief Kim Hyunji are nothing more than unfounded concerns, she should appear before the National Assembly audit committee herself and explain. The sincerity of reform is shown not in slogans but in how allegations surrounding those in power are handled.” He made the remarks in this context.

Regarding Chief Kim Hyunji, Choi said, "It has come to light that at a small tax accounting firm where her husband works, two tax accountants were appointed in succession as outside directors of a capital company affiliated with a major financial holding company in February and March this year, and just a month later, another tax accountant was appointed as a member of the Tax Tribunal.”

He continued, “The tax accounting firm has just six tax accountants, including Chief Kim Hyunji’s spouse, yet three of them have taken up key positions as outside directors at major financial companies and as members of the Tax Tribunal. This small firm, in which her spouse owns a 20% stake, has built a powerful network of connections.”

Choi also questioned the appointment process, saying, “This is the first time since their establishment that capital companies affiliated with major financial holding companies have appointed tax accountants as outside directors, and the only material reviewed was a single résumé. The Tax Tribunal also responded that it ‘does not keep track of how’ the individual came to be included among the candidates. Who exactly selected them, and according to what criteria?”

Choi said, “It must be made clear to the public whether all of this was simply a coincidence or the result of connections to those in power.” He added, “If outside pressure was brought to bear, this is a serious matter that goes beyond preferential treatment in appointments and leads directly to allegations that the president’s closest aide privatized power and pursued personal gain.”

Choi said, “President Lee must dismiss Chief Kim Hyunji immediately,” adding, “If he turns a blind eye to his closest aide while calling only on the public to embrace reform, that is not reform but a perversion of it in the service of power.”

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