On October 7, the first day of the 22nd National Assembly's first inspection of state administration, opposition parties, including the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), launched a full-scale attack on various allegations against First Lady Kim Keon-hee at various standing committees. The ruling People’s Power Party (PPP) vigorously defended itself against the opposition's attacks and countered by highlighting the judicial risk of DPK leader Lee Jae-myung.

The National Assembly conducted the inspection of government offices at 10 standing committees, including the Legislative Judicial Committee, the Agriculture, Food, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Committee, and the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee. The inspection will be conducted by 17 standing committees against 802 organizations until November 1.

During the inspection conducted by the Public Administration and Security Committee, the ruling and opposition parties fought over the alleged illegal expansion of the presidential residence. The DPK raised suspicions that the company in charge of expanding the presidential residence signed a hasty contract with the government based on its private relationship with the first lady. “21 Gram (the contractor in charge of the presidential residence expansion) is an interior contractor that participated in the construction of the presidential residence as a subcontractor and was also named as a sponsor of an exhibition organized by Kim's Covana Contents,” said Mo Kyung-jong, a DPK lawmaker. ”There is bound to be a suspicion that Kim was involved in the contract.”

Another DPK lawmaker Park Jung-hyun also said, “If the allegations that Kim illegally funneled the construction of the presidential residence, which was paid for with taxpayer money, to her acquaintance are true, it is the ‘manipulation of state affair by Kim Keon-hee.’ It is a serious case that is grounds for impeachment.”

When Yoon Jong-oh, a lawmaker of Progressive Party of Korea asked, “Who recommended 21 Grams?” Kim Oh-jin, former secretary of the presidential office, said, “I don't remember,” but also said, “There is no fact that Kim recommended it.” When asked by opposition lawmakers, Lee Sang-min, the minister of Public Administration and Security also said, "It is true that we failed to thoroughly inspect the completion, but there was no problem with the company's contract. We will not let it (mismanagement) happen again.”

During the inspection by the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, suspicions were raised that the Kim family received preferential treatment in the process of changing the terminus of the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway. “There are 29 parcels of land related to Kim's family along the re-routed highway,” said DPK lawmaker Bok Ki-wang. “The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has been conducting a specific inspection of the road bureau since June, and it is said that ‘issues related to route change are not subject to inspection." Park Sang-woo, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, countered, “The road route would not have moved overnight because of someone's interests.”

Mr. Kim, the former secretary who oversaw the relocation and expansion of the presidential office and the presidential residence, was also questioned about his application to become the president of the Korea Airports Corporation. DPK lawmaker Yeom Tae-young said, “I think the responsibility of yourself, who is in charge, is enormous,” and asked, “What do you think about the appointment of the person who encouraged and ordered illegal neglect as the president of the Korea Airports Corporation?" Kim responded, “I think the personnel department will judge it.”

During the inspection by the Legislative Judicial Committee, the opposition continued its attack on the first lady’s alleged involvement in public appointments and the manipulation of Deutsch Motors' stock price, and her alleged acceptance of a luxury bag. “The accounts in Kim's name can be recognized as accounts used to manipulate the stock price based on the second trial verdicts of former Deutsch Motors Chairman Kwon Oh-soo and others,” said Jeong Cheong-rae, chairman of the Legislative Judicial Committee.

Regarding Ms. Kang Hye-kyung's media interview in which she raised suspicions that President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife intervened in the nomination process, she said, “During the presidential election, they conducted a poll that cost 300 million won and nominated Kim Young-sun as a lawmaker in return. “This is an impeachable offense. The Legislative Judicial Committee can conduct a hearing investigation.”

During the inspection by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, the ruling and opposition parties clashed over the allegations of Kim’s “privileged watching” of KTV's Korean traditional music performance. DPK lawmaker Kang Yoo-jung said, “KTV submitted an application for permission to use the performance venue, stating that the president and her family would be present. The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism approved the application,” she claimed. In response, PPP lawmaker Kim Seung-soo countered, “The opposition is calling it ‘privileged watching,’ but I think the best of privileges is former First Lady Kim Jung-sook (spouse of former President Moon Jae-in)’s visit to India.”

The ruling party focused on the investigation and trial of DPK leader Lee, for which prosecutors sought three years and two years in prison on charges of violating the Public Offices Election Act and perjury, respectively. “Lee was acquitted by perjury, which is why his political life has now been extended,” said Jang Dong-hyuk of the PPP, adding that “Lee's perjury case has two aggravating reasons.” Another PPP lawmaker Song Seok-joon called for a speedy trial, saying, ”The first trial of a public election law case is supposed to be decided within six months, but it took 799 days for Lee's case to be decided.”