South Korean opposition turns to Google’s Gemini to challenge president

By Faisal Mahmud

ISLAMABAD (AA) - South Korea’s opposition lawmakers have turned to Google’s artificial intelligence chatbot Gemini to challenge President Lee Jae Myung after he cited the same tool to defend a controversial government decision, local media reported Thursday.

Lawmakers from the opposition People Power Party (PPP) publicly shared conversations with Gemini, questioning Lee’s defense of investigative agency chiefs attending Cabinet meetings, according to The Chosun Daily.

PPP Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won played a three-minute recording of his conversation with Gemini during a party meeting Thursday.

Asked whether the attendance of investigative agency chiefs could undermine public trust in their independence, Gemini reportedly warned that such participation could create perceptions of political interference.

Kim then asked whether Gemini should become president if Lee intended to govern by consulting AI.

The chatbot replied that AI could not replace governance or make responsible judgments.

PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok mocked Lee, saying the president had apparently turned to Gemini for political support.

Lawmaker Na Kyung-won also questioned how Lee had framed his query, arguing that AI responses could be influenced by users’ wording.

The controversy erupted after Lee posted Gemini’s response on US social media company X on Wednesday to defend his position.