Kim Min-seok on Park Si-young Contract Controversy: "We Will Take a Closer Look if Concerns Are Raised"

[Financial News] Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on the 18th that the party would examine the matter if concerns were raised about the contract price, content or transparency of the process in connection with the controversy surrounding an election consulting contract involving Park Si-young, head of a political consulting firm.
Kim was asked about the matter during the Democratic Party's YouTube program "Minty07." He said, "The fact that a contract with one particular entity was signed for a large amount alone is not enough to make it an issue," but added, "Because we have a public responsibility, it would not be right for us to simply cover it up if an issue is raised."
Kim specifically cited three criteria for reviewing election-related contracts: price, content and transparency.
He explained, "Since these are the party's public subsidies, whether the price of the contracts made with that money was appropriate involves taxpayers' money. This is therefore an area in which we also have a public responsibility."
He continued, "We will look at whether the content of consulting and other services, as well as the supply of goods, was substantial enough to justify the contract price." He added, "When doing so, we will examine whether everything was transparent in the relationships among the staff involved."
However, Kim made clear that the party has not determined that there is a problem with the contract. "It is not that we have singled out and examined anything as a problem so far," he said. "But since this is something the party cannot help but become involved in if an issue is raised, we are watching it."
Regarding the possibility that the controversy involving Park Si-young could expand to other contracts, he said, "We do not yet know whether this might also be the case in other instances." He added, "We are watching somewhat carefully to see whether another issue is raised."
Kim stressed, "Public party financing involves using money entrusted by the public transparently and fairly." He continued, "If questions are raised about whether contracts involving the party or its candidates are appropriate in terms of price, content and transparency, we will examine them in greater depth."
He also expressed concerns about the relationship between political consulting firms and political parties. Kim stated, "Basically, I do not think it is appropriate for aspects involving various contractual relationships connected to the party to be linked in some way to political content."

[email protected] Kim Kyung-min Reporter