Lee Jae-myung's Side: "Lee Nak-yeon Must Clarify His Relationship with Choi Seong-hae"

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] On the 4th, the campaign team of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, called on his competitor, former party leader Lee Nak-yeon, to clarify his relationship with former Dongyang University President Choi Seong-hae.

Hyun Geun-taek, spokesperson for Lee Jae-myung’s campaign, pointed out in a statement that “an explanation is needed regarding the commemorative photo of former leader Lee Nak-yeon and former President Choi.” He added, “The location appears to be the Dongyang Arts Theater operated by Dongyang University, and the timing seems to be around last year’s general election when former Minister Cho Kuk’s trial was ongoing, which raises questions.”

Lee Nak-yeon’s camp explained the photo as “just a routine commemorative photo.” Jeong Woon-hyun, public relations director of Lee Nak-yeon’s campaign, posted the photo of Lee and Choi together on his social network service (SNS) the day before and said, “There has been a lot of talk about this,” adding, “Is this photo real or manipulated? Lee said he never met former President Choi, so did he lie?” Jeong stated, “This photo is genuine. It is not manipulated. Lee never said he had never met former President Choi. He did not lie.”

He explained, “The photo was taken around the April 15 general election last year near Daehangno, Seoul. At that time, Lee, who was running for the National Assembly seat in Jongno District, Seoul, met with artists living in Hyehwa-dong through an introduction by an acquaintance. Former President Choi was one of the 15 people brought by that acquaintance.” He continued, “At the end of the meeting, Lee took individual commemorative photos with the attendees, which is common for politicians during election season. The photo in question was taken then.” He emphasized, “The two met by chance at a gathering arranged by an acquaintance and took a routine commemorative photo. That is all.”

Regarding this, spokesperson Hyun from Lee’s camp referred to a recording released in June by the YouTube channel ‘Open Sympathy TV,’ in which former President Choi told an acquaintance, “Lee Nak-yeon is the one who attacked Cho Kuk. Lee thanked me for attacking Cho.” Hyun said, “Lee Nak-yeon filed a provisional injunction against Open Sympathy TV to delete the video, but the court ruled that Choi’s statement was true, so it was agreed to post Choi’s statement and withdraw the injunction. Can we understand that they just met by chance at a gathering arranged by an acquaintance, yet he said such things to his close aides?”