Opposition party says texts point to first lady's meddling in state affairs
Rep. Park Chan-dae, left, floor leader and acting leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during a party Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, July 10. Yonhap
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) expressed outrage Wednesday following the revelation of text messages sent by first lady Kim Keon Hee to former ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon, saying the scandal pointed to Kim's meddling in state affairs.
Rep. Park Chan-dae, floor leader and acting leader of the DPK, was referring to five Telegram messages the first lady reportedly sent to Han in January to offer to make a public apology over her acceptance of a luxury handbag in 2022, which was creating a headache for the ruling People Power Party ahead of the April general elections.
Han did not respond to the messages, which critics have said was a mistake as an apology from the first lady would have prevented the PPP's crushing election defeat.
The controversy has become the biggest issue ahead of the PPP's July 23 national convention, in which Han is one of four candidates running to become the new party leader.
"First lady Kim Keon Hee and candidate Han Dong-hoon should confess the truth before the people," Park said during a party Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly. "We can no longer rule out the possibility of first lady Kim's extensive meddling in state affairs."
Park especially noted the first lady's reference to an "online comment team" in one of her text messages, saying it hinted at the government possibly carrying out an online campaign to manipulate public opinion.
"If true, there will be no way of avoiding criticism that it is manipulation of state affairs that the administration should close down" to take responsibility for, he said.
Park also accused the first lady of meddling in the military's investigation into the death of a Marine last year. The DPK has twice railroaded a bill mandating a special counsel investigation into suspicions the presidential office inappropriately interfered in the military's probe, but President Yoon Suk Yeol has vetoed it both times, including on Tuesday.
"The Democratic Party of Korea will mobilize all means to uncover the truth behind the 'first lady's state affairs meddling gate' that shakes the foundations of a democratic republic," Park said, likening the allegations to the Watergate scandal.
"We will pass the special counsel bill using all means and methods," he said, alluding to overriding the veto in a revote. (Yonhap)