Rep. Bae Hyun-jin (left) of the People Power Party, who is at the center of controversy over "mole remarks," and Rep. Han Min-soo of the Democratic Party of Korea, who has been accused of defamation. [Photo=Yonhap News]

Rep. Bae Hyun-jin of the People Power Party has become the center of controversy over "mole remarks."

On the 13th, Rep. Bae claimed on social media regarding suspicions that the spouse of Kim Byung-joo, then a Democratic Party lawmaker, had misused official entertainment expenses, "An internal investigation should be conducted to see if the theory of a mole within the People Power Party who aided Rep. Kim Byung-joo is true. If there is anyone who has tarnished the fundamental basis of our struggle against the opposition by covering up the misdeeds of the ruling party, they are no longer fit to be in the People Power Party."

In particular, Rep. Bae's statement, "Why isn't the party audit committee used for such matters?" was interpreted as a criticism of both the People Power Party leadership and the internal party sentiment.

This timing overlapped with discussions about whether to discipline former leader Han Dong-hoon, citing controversies on the party's member bulletin board.

Some within the party suggested that Rep. Bae's raising of the issue might have been an attempt to shift attention to pro-Yoon faction figures and provoke internal tension.

The controversy further spread through external remarks.

Rep. Han Min-soo of the Democratic Party of Korea appeared on a YouTube broadcast and said, "At an event, Rep. Bae Hyun-jin called out a pro-Yoon faction member by name and asked, 'Aren't they investigating that person?' I was so surprised and said, 'What?' and she just smiled and walked away."

These remarks led to speculation about whether the "person suspected of being a mole" mentioned by Rep. Bae and the person mentioned on the broadcast were the same individual.

However, as these statements were made without confirmation from the parties involved or any investigative findings, the allegations remain unconfirmed.

In relation to this, the civic group Committee for the Welfare of the Common People (led by Secretary-General Kim Soon-hwan) filed a defamation complaint with the police against Rep. Han Min-soo for his remarks.

The complaint stated that "Rep. Han's remarks on the YouTube broadcast defamed a specific lawmaker, political party, and constituents," and the complaint was filed with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on January 15th.

Meanwhile, there is keen public interest in how the People Power Party will respond and what follow-up measures will be taken regarding the "mole" remarks made without any confirmed basis.

By Lim Yo-hee