Internal party leadership, represented by lawmaker Kim Byeong-joo, is facing internal concerns over an unprecedented "mud-slinging contest" with his aides. [Photo=Yonhap News]

Kim Byeong-joo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, has responded to recent allegations regarding his personal life and preferential treatment, calling them "retaliatory reports from dismissed former aides."

Regarding the repeated reports in the media about his personal life, Kim stated on Facebook on the 25th that the whistleblower is presumed to be a former aide he previously worked with, and that they are artfully posing as a public interest whistleblower.

Conversely, the former aides have filed a lawsuit against Kim Byeong-joo, indicating that the conflict is escalating into a legal battle.

"Aides dismissed for trivializing martial law situation"

Kim Byeong-joo pointed to former aides who were dismissed from their positions in December of last year as being behind the recent series of media reports. He claimed that they were dismissed after inappropriate conversations were confirmed and revealed parts of the Telegram chat log titled 'Yeouido Matdori' involving six aides.

Kim stated that he dismissed them because he confirmed conversations that trampled on the minimum basic courtesy towards human beings, where the aides trivialized an illegal martial law situation, sexually harassed a female local council member (through voyeurism), and hurled unspeakable profanities at his family.

He criticized them for posing as public interest whistleblowers and spreading distorted narratives.

In response, the former aides have refuted Kim Byeong-joo's claims point by point and filed a lawsuit against him, alleging violations of the Act on the Prohibition of Wiretapping and Protection of Communications, among other charges.

The aides' side pointed to the illegality of how the evidence was obtained, stating that Kim Byeong-joo's spouse installed the youngest aide's account on their phone without consent and eavesdropped on conversations.

Regarding the background of the dismissals, they claimed that the aides were preemptively dismissed not because of Telegram conversations, but out of concern that the aides might provide unfavorable testimony during the investigation into allegations of misuse of Kim's wife's corporate card.

Additionally, the lawsuit reportedly includes allegations that the day after the martial law, Kim Byeong-joo called a public official to solicit a favor regarding a specific local councilor's complaint.

Controversy over 700,000 won hotel dining and 1.69 million won accommodation voucher

Pro-government media outlets such as Newstapa have reported since June on allegations of △ preferential treatment for his son's university transfer and △ employment. Recently, there have been reports on allegations that Kim Byeong-joo △ had a 700,000 won hotel dinner with Coupang officials a month before the parliamentary audit △ received a 1.6 million won hotel accommodation voucher from Korean Air for 2 nights and 3 days △ demanded airport reception during his family's visit to Vietnam △ and received treatment without waiting at a general hospital in his constituency during the 2023 medical crisis.

In response, Kim Byeong-joo stated that △ it was not a 700,000 won meal but a pasta dish priced in the 30,000 won range △ it was not a 1.6 million won accommodation voucher but a 680,000 won package for two nights △ and he only asked for a reservation at the hospital.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is also expressing concerns about its floor leader engaging in an unprecedented "mud-slinging contest" with his aides.

Rep. Park Ji-won pointed out that Kim should reflect on his own conduct before blaming his aides, and an anonymous lawmaker expressed doubts about the appropriateness of a powerful National Assembly member directly targeting his aides.

By Reporter Lim Yo-hee