Han Byeongdo: "Kim Tae-gyu cannot sit in the Steering Committee audit room... Resign as a committee member"

"We will ensure Joo Jinwoo is held legally accountable to the very end"

Han Byeongdo, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, called on Kim Tae-gyu, a People Power Party lawmaker, to resign from the National Assembly Steering Committee ahead of the committee's parliamentary audit on October 29. He also said he would "hold Joo Jin-woo of the People Power Party legally accountable" over Joo's allegations of "imperial golf" involving Mrs. Kim Hye-kyung.

At a policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly that day, Han said, "Today, the Steering Committee will conduct parliamentary audits of institutions including the National Human Rights Commission of Korea and the Presidential Office." He added, "I am concerned that the People Power Party's hate, disparagement, abusive remarks and political wrangling, which marred the audits over the past three weeks, will be repeated today."

He criticized the party, saying, "From the witness selection stage, the People Power Party has already stoked the flames of wasteful political wrangling by demanding the appearance of people who have nothing to do with the administration of state affairs." He added, "It even went so far as to make the absurd claim that the President and First Lady should be summoned to the Steering Committee's audit. It has put policy scrutiny and proposals for alternatives to improve people's livelihoods on the back burner, and is solely bent on launching political attacks to find fault with the President and the government."

Han Byeongdo, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, delivers opening remarks at a policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly on the 29th. 2026.10.29 Photo by Yoon Dongju

Han particularly criticized Kim, saying he should not be allowed to sit in on the Steering Committee's audit. "Kim is trying to sit in the committee's audit chamber as if nothing happened, even after making the outrageous remark that Yoon Suk Yeol's actions did not constitute an insurrection," Han said. "Even though the National Assembly passed a resolution calling for his expulsion, the People Power Party has taken no responsible action. We cannot allow someone who distorted history and defended an insurrection to roam freely in the Steering Committee, which should set the standard and serve as a model for the operation of the National Assembly." Han urged Kim to "bow his head and apologize to the public now, and resign from the committee."

On October 2, the Steering Committee passed a resolution calling for Kim's expulsion after he said that the actions committed by former presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Yoon Suk Yeol were "not an insurrection."

On September 30, Kim appeared on JTBC's YouTube channel "Jangreuman Yeouido" and was discussing the film "Assassins" when the host asked, "Was Chun Doo-hwan's action an insurrection or not?" Kim replied, "I don't think it was." When the host pressed him, asking, "Are you saying it wasn't, even though there was a court ruling?" Kim said, "I think there is room for consideration. It is difficult to readily agree with the categorical claim that it was an insurrection; this is something that requires further historical assessment." He also answered, "No," when asked, "Was Yoon Suk Yeol's action an insurrection or not?"

Referring to the Democratic Party's police complaint against Joo the previous day over the allegations involving Mrs. Kim, Han criticized him, saying, "Irresponsibly raising allegations in the 'make the claim and see what happens' manner is nothing but an anti-democratic outrage that deceives the public and eats away at democracy."

"The police must promptly and rigorously investigate this case and demonstrate the majesty of the law," he said. "The Democratic Party will ensure that Joo Jin-woo, who hides behind his status as a member of the National Assembly and repeatedly engages in malicious conduct, is held legally accountable to the very end."

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