Presidential Office Audit Paralyzed by Clash over Rep. Kim Tae-gyu's Participation
The National Assembly's audit of the presidential office (Office of the President, National Security Office, and Presidential Security Service) on the 29th was thrown into disarray all day as the ruling and opposition parties repeatedly called recesses, clashing over the participation of People Power Party Rep. Kim Tae-gyu, who sparked controversy with remarks denying an "insurrection." Kim's participation became an issue because he said of the actions of former Presidents Yoon Suk Yeol and Chun Doo-hwan that they "do not constitute an insurrection." Led by the Democratic Party, the National Assembly's Steering Committee had already adopted a resolution calling for his expulsion.
When Rep. Kim attended the audit on Thursday afternoon, Democratic Party Rep. Seo Mi-hwa said, "You deny even the insurrection recognized by a Supreme Court ruling," calling it "an insult to the National Assembly and an insult to the people." Her fellow party member Rep. Lim Mi-ae added, "The committee passed a resolution calling for his expulsion. Ruling party members cannot continue the audit under these circumstances."
The People Power Party pushed back on legal grounds. Rep. Yoon Yong-geun said, "Aside from provisions on disqualification and recusal, there are no obstacles that can prevent a National Assembly member from participating in a government audit."
When Rep. Kim requested an opportunity to explain his personal remarks but Steering Committee Chairman Han Byung-do of the Democratic Party refused, the partisan standoff continued and the audit was suspended. Chairman Han stated, "We will not tolerate Rep. Kim participating in the audit as if nothing happened, without apologizing."
During the recess, Rep. Kim told Democratic Party lawmakers, "You're struggling so hard to defend the presidential office. You won't even give me the right to explain myself." When the session resumed, Rep. Kim responded to demands for an apology by saying, "It is difficult for me to state definitively," adding, "I am striving to respect and uphold the Constitution more than anyone." As ruling party lawmakers protested again and heated exchanges broke out, Chairman Han suspended Rep. Kim's speaking rights and declared another recess.
The day's audit ended without any progress.
