Lee Jun-seok "Suddenly denying any exchange of even '1 won' between Lee Jae-myung and Hwacheon Daeyu... Suspicious"

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, is answering questions from the press at a press conference marking his 100th day in office, held on the 17th at the People Power Party Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, claimed that the overly sensitive reactions of Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung and Hwacheon Daeyu regarding the controversy over the Daejang-dong development project in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, are suspicious.

On the 20th, Lee said on his Facebook, "I am curious why Governor Lee Jae-myung suddenly emphasizes that he 'did not receive even 1 won,' and why the representative of Hwacheon Daeyu preemptively states that 'there is no relationship with Governor Lee Jae-myung and we have never given money related to Hwacheon Daeyu's profits.'

He added, "If Hwacheon Daeyu really had no connection, it would be common sense for Governor Lee Jae-myung to only talk about himself regardless of what happens."

Lee also introduced reports that Hwacheon Daeyu paid former Supreme Court Justice Kwon Soon-il and Special Prosecutor Park Young-soo '15 million won per month' as advisory fees, saying he could not understand this either.

He said, "In fact, the local government cooperated regarding permits, and there is no way the prime land right below Pangyo would not be sold, so what kind of risk existed that required advice from such prominent figures?" and "Now the outline is roughly coming together."

Earlier, Governor Lee was embroiled in allegations of giving special favors to Hwacheon Daeyu during the promotion of the Daejang-dong public development project when he was mayor of Seongnam.

Regarding this, Governor Lee has insisted that there were no special favors, saying, "Please investigate the Daejang-dong development special favor allegations thoroughly from start to finish."

At a debate held on the 19th, Governor Lee said, "(The special favor allegations) are completely untrue," and added, "I used a method not in the system at the time to make Seongnam citizens hit the jackpot."

He emphasized, "If I have committed fraud or taken even 1 won of unfair profit, I will withdraw my candidacy and resign from public office."