Lawmakers clash again over Lee Jin-sook's audit recusal

The ruling and opposition parties clashed again on the 22nd during the National Assembly's National Assembly audit of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee over the issue of whether People Power Party Rep. Lee Jin-sook should be recused (a procedure requiring her to step aside from certain matters) from the audit. Earlier, the Constitutional Court partially granted Lee's injunction application (a request to temporarily suspend a measure pending a ruling on the dispute) to halt the effect of the recusal decision. As a result, Lee became able to participate in the audit except for matters directly involving her, and she attended the day's audit, fueling further skirmishes between the parties.

Interpretations of the injunction decision also diverged. People Power Party Rep. Kim Jang-kyum demanded an apology from the Democratic Party, arguing that the so-called 'gag rule,' under which Lee's remarks were broadly barred except on matters she said she would recuse herself from, had been proven real. Democratic Party Rep. Lee Jung-hun countered, "The key point of this decision is that a player cannot be the referee," adding, "It is by no means an indulgence for Rep. Lee Jin-sook."

Former presidential chief of staff Lee Kwan-seop, adopted as a witness regarding the sale of YTN, failed to appear at the audit without any response. The committee decided to discuss later whether to file a complaint against the absent witness.