How far left can you go in NYC?

Liu rehires N. Korea fan

By JOSH MARGOLIN JOSH MARGOLIN

The Korean War is being fought again -- this time, in the city Comptroller’s Office.

Comptroller John Liu has hired back former top aide John Choe, who had resigned amid controversy over his alleged support of North Korea.

Choe, a Korean-American, had been chief-of-staff for Liu when Liu was a City Council member.

Choe quit to run for the council himself in 2009, but continued to work on old boss’ campaign for comptroller. He left the Liu campaign after reports emerged that in 2006, he had told a conference on the “Global Struggle for Socialism” that North Korea “is at the front line of the liberation struggles against imperialism.”

At the time, Liu denied Choe made the comments, saying his aide was the victim of “McCarthyism.”

But Choe admitted to The Post, “I may have said something like that.”

Still, four days after taking over as comptroller in 2010, Liu hired Choe -- who lost his council bid -- for the $105,000-a-year job of director of policy and research.

Councilman Vincent Ignizio (R-SI) said, “It certainly calls into question for New Yorkers who John Liu is putting his faith in.

“For the comptroller to hire this guy clandestinely leads me to question his judgment.”

Neither Liu nor Choe responded to requests for comment.