"Local Sister" Kim Nam-kuk's 'Text Solicitation' Controversy: Park Su-hyeon Says 'Highly Inappropriate, But Not Grounds for a Full Investigation'

[Financial News] Park Su-hyeon, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), addressed the controversy surrounding personnel solicitation by Moon Jin-seok, Senior Deputy Floor Leader, stating, "It was highly inappropriate," but clarified, "This issue does not warrant an investigation by the Ethics Inspection Team."
On the 4th, Park appeared on the Christian Broadcasting System (CBS) radio show 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and remarked, "There is no disagreement within the party that Moon's actions were highly inappropriate."
On the 2nd, during a plenary session at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, some media cameras captured Moon Jin-seok sending a text message to Kim Nam-kuk, Presidential Secretary for Digital Communication, requesting the recommendation of a university acquaintance for the presidency of the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA).
The message included Kim Nam-kuk's response: 'I'll recommend him to Hoon-sik and the local sister,' which sparked controversy.
Regarding this, the host asked Park Su-hyeon, "If it was highly inappropriate, does that mean Representative Jeong Cheong-rae could order an Ethics Inspection Team investigation?" Park replied, "In cases such as the incident involving Lee Chun-seok (alleged stock transactions under borrowed names) and the case of Jang Kyung-tae (sexual harassment allegations), immediate investigations by the Ethics Inspection Team were ordered. However, this issue does not warrant such an investigation."
Park Su-hyeon explained, "This matter is not of a criminal nature. The inappropriateness refers to its moral, political, and strategic implications, not to criminal suspicion, which is the basis for an Ethics Inspection Team investigation."
He added, "Ultimately, the question is whether Moon Jin-seok should continue in his role as Senior Deputy Floor Leader."
Meanwhile, Park Sang-hyeok, Senior Deputy Floor Spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), also commented on the personnel solicitation controversy involving Moon Jin-seok.
On the same day, Park appeared on Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' and stated, "Yesterday, Kim Byung-kee, the Floor Leader, spoke with Moon Jin-seok. As the person in charge, Kim Byung-kee delivered a stern warning. The party is taking the matter very seriously."
He continued, "This controversy was extremely inappropriate. We will use this as an opportunity to raise our awareness going forward."
newssu@fnnews.com Kim Su-yeon Reporter