Kim Jin-pyo: "I am not the Optimus investor... Yoo Sang-beom should apologize for low-quality politics"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Key ruling party figures listed as investors in the 'Optimus Fund' by the People Power Party have urged Rep. Yoo Sang-beom of the People Power Party to apologize.

On the afternoon of the 19th, Rep. Kim Jin-pyo of the Democratic Party of Korea stated on his Facebook post, "I am not Kim Jin-pyo, an investor in Optimus," and expressed regret over the low-quality politics that spread the information to the media to cause embarrassment despite knowing it was false. He added, "Rep. Yoo, please apologize."

Former Blue House spokesperson Park Soo-hyun also posted on Facebook that day, saying, "Rep. Yoo Sang-beom, please apologize." He said, "You mentioned that Park Soo-hyun, a ruling party figure, invested 200 million won in Lime and Optimus, but I am a poor politician without such money," and added, "Even if you had doubts, a phone call to me would have prevented this mistake, which is unfortunate."

Lee Ho-chul, former Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs at the Blue House under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, also stated through a ruling party official, "It is completely untrue. It is a case of namesakes." He expressed anger at the irresponsible false accusations from the political circles.

Choi In-ho, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said in an afternoon briefing, "After verifying each of the mentioned party members, it was completely groundless," and criticized, "He is also a legal professional, yet acted irresponsibly knowing it was not true."

Rep. Yoo has not issued a separate statement regarding this matter.

Earlier that day, at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee hearing, Rep. Yoo revealed a list of Optimus Fund investors, including the names of Rep. Kim and other key ruling party figures, on a presentation screen.

Rep. Yoo questioned, "Although an investigation into namesakes is necessary, the fund investment list containing their real names was secured, yet no investigation was conducted," and asked, "Isn't the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's failure to investigate despite having the list an attempt to cover up suspicions?"