United Future Party Urges Thorough Investigation of 'Optimus Scandal'... "Strong Connections with Regime Power Brokers"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The United Future Party has called for a thorough investigation into the Optimus Asset Management fund redemption suspension incident, stating that "the relationships between the company's executives and influential figures in the ruling party are suspicious."

Yoon Hee-seok, deputy spokesperson of the United Future Party, said in a statement on the 8th, "This crime was possible because large securities firms, commercial banks, public institutions, and financial authorities were either completely deceived or someone helped them."

Optimus Asset Management claimed to invest in government-affiliated or public institution sales bonds but actually invested in unlisted corporate bonds, causing damage amounting to 500 billion KRW.

Deputy spokesperson Yoon raised concerns, saying, "The founder of AV Asset Management, which is the root of Optimus Asset Management, has strong connections with key figures of this administration, such as the Chief Secretary and Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs." He added, "He also ran as a candidate for the 19th general election under the Democratic United Party, the predecessor of the Democratic Party of Korea, but fled overseas in 2018 while under investigation and trial for tax evasion and has not returned."

He continued, "The wife of the detained internal director of Optimus worked as an administrative officer in the Blue House Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs office until October last year, and the lawyer couple was listed among the legal supporters of candidate Moon Jae-in in the 2012 presidential election," adding, "It is impossible to dismiss reasonable suspicion that power was involved."

Deputy spokesperson Yoon criticized, "How could banks and securities firms, which would never engage in something that causes losses, be so carelessly deceived? And why did the fierce financial authorities act like angels, doing whatever this company asked?" He demanded, "We call for responsible explanations from the Democratic Party of Korea and the Blue House."