Kim Eun-hye Criticizes Optimus Asset Management for Distorting Facts
Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung is smiling during the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee's audit of Gyeonggi Province held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office in Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 20th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, criticized on the 23rd, saying, "Assemblywoman Kim Eun-hye, I am disappointed. This is why you are called a burden to the people." This is the second time that Governor Lee has referred to the main opposition party, the People Power Party, as 'Gukmin-ui Jim' (a pun meaning 'burden to the people'). Earlier, on the 18th, he said, "Because they are engrossed in slander and agitation, the People Power Party is mocked not as the People Power Party but as 'Gukmin-ui Jim'."
On the same day (23rd), in a post on his Facebook, Governor Lee pointed out, "Assemblywoman Kim Eun-hye of the People Power Party stated through the media that Gyeonggi Province never initially requested the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport for advisory consultation on the resource procurement plan related to the Bonghyeon Logistics Complex project. A certain media outlet reported this without fact-checking, titling it 'Gyeonggi Province, false testimony suspicion on Optimus revealed at the National Assembly audit'."
He continued, "On April 8th, Gyeonggi Province sent an official letter to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport requesting a 'review' on whether a verification of actual demand was necessary due to changes in the funding plan. We also sought 'advisory opinions' from experts. Therefore, the head of the relevant department in Gyeonggi Province said at the National Assembly audit that they remembered receiving advisory consultation on the funding plan when Assemblywoman Kim Eun-hye asked if such consultation had been received."
He added, "Arguing over whether the advisory was about verification of actual demand but falsely testifying that it was about the funding plan, or questioning why a review request was made to the Ministry instead of an advisory request, is just nitpicking and fighting."
He further stated, "The issue is whether the moon was pointed at, not whether it was pointed at with a finger or a palm. What problem can be solved by quibbling over such details? Assemblywoman Kim is maliciously distorting minor expressions and fabricating facts. Picking apart obvious matters to exaggerate and distort them is either due to incompetence or malice. That is why you are called a 'burden to the people.'"
He continued, "I sincerely advise the People Power Party. I hope the People Power Party truly becomes a party that empowers the people. I want to see the main opposition party presenting alternatives to the people and competing well with the ruling party. As a citizen, I am very sorry to see the main opposition party only being a burden."
Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung is smiling during the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee's audit of Gyeonggi Province held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office in Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 20th. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Previously, Governor Lee also caused controversy by calling the People Power Party 'Gukmin-ui Jim' (burden to the people).
On the 18th, in a post on his Facebook, he criticized, "A certain lawmaker from the People Power Party and conservative media criticize me for spending twice as much on promotional expenses as Nam Kyung-pil and say that 43% of the local currency basic income policy promotion is excessive," adding, "Because they are engrossed in slander and agitation, the People Power Party is mocked not as the People Power Party but as 'Gukmin-ui Jim.'"
Following this remark, on the 20th, during the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee's audit of Gyeonggi Province, Park Sung-min of the People Power Party pointed out the issue of Gyeonggi Province's promotional budget, saying, "You recently called the People Power Party a burden to the people. Isn't that too political? It is not right to refer to the main opposition party, the People Power Party, as 'Gukmin-ui Jim.'"
In response, Governor Lee explained, "I was giving advice that you should not do things to the extent that you would be called a burden to the people," to which Assemblyman Park repeatedly criticized, "Are you in a position to criticize the National Assembly and its members? You should not use such expressions."
To this criticism, Governor Lee replied, "As a citizen, I believe I am in such a position. I hope 'Gukmin-ui Jim' really does not happen."
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