Lee Jae-myung Camp: "The Main Issue of the Construction Gate Should Be Raised to the People Power Party"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] On the 20th, the campaign team of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential primary candidate (Open Camp), said, "We ask candidate Lee Nak-yeon" and "We hope he will clear up misunderstandings and raise issues with the People Power Party, the main force behind the 'People Power Construction Gate'."

Open Camp issued a statement in the afternoon, saying, "We believe candidate Lee Nak-yeon would not oppose the principle that unearned development profits arising from exercising the delegated approval rights entrusted by the people should return to the people." On the previous day (19th), candidates Lee Jae-myung and Lee Nak-yeon clashed over the 'Daejang-dong development project preferential treatment allegations' during a TV debate.

Candidate Lee Nak-yeon demanded explanations as the media and the public raised questions, while candidate Lee Jae-myung said, "If I have gained even one won of unfair profit, I will resign from my candidacy and public office."

Open Camp emphasized, "At that time, it was predicted that the developer would earn about 180 billion won and Seongnam City about 460 billion won from the real estate market," adding, "When the real estate market improved, Seongnam City imposed an additional 92 billion won burden on the developer, even being called a 'Communist'." They further stated, "The core of the Daejang-dong development was the 'People Power Construction Gate,' a joint work of construction corruption factions and the opposition People Power Party, and it was 'Lee Jae-myung style exemplary administration' that blocked this and reclaimed the maximum public interest with the authority held." They added, "It was an unprecedented reform policy to prevent construction corruption and unearned income, and the first case of excess profit recovery in the history of not only Seongnam but also South Korea."

Open Camp expressed regret, saying, "It is unfortunate that candidate Lee Nak-yeon does not pay attention to these achievements," and emphasized, "Because of this, he might be unfairly accused of sympathizing with the defamatory claims of the corrupt People Power forces." They also pointed out, "How could a group that suffered fatal damage by losing large profits due to candidate Lee Jae-myung's decision for public development be in a relationship of sharing interests with him? It is unimaginable and against common sense."

Open Camp said, "Candidate Lee Nak-yeon argues that 'if the media reports it, there is a problem,'" and added, "We believe he agrees that reform means judging by one's own values and philosophy, not relying on the media's judgment, and moving towards what is right." They also requested, "We ask to join forces to improve the system so that the 'People Power Construction Gate' never happens again."