Lee Jae-myung Camp: "Daejang-dong, Firmly Oppose Baseless Political Attacks... Gwak Sang-do's Son's Involvement Must Be Clearly Revealed"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] The open camp of Lee Jae-myung, the leading presidential candidate from the Democratic Party of Korea and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, stated regarding the 'Daejang-dong development preferential treatment allegations' that "We are willing to undergo any investigation if it proceeds, but we oppose the demand for a special prosecutor and the National Assembly audit."

Park Joo-min, a Democratic Party lawmaker and the general head of Lee Jae-myung's open camp, said at the weekly briefing of the open camp on the morning of the 22nd, "We firmly oppose this issue being politically exploited."

Park said, "In particular, it has been revealed that the son of Gwak Sang-do, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, worked at Hwacheon Daeyu. They are conducting baseless political attacks without clarifying any connection. In that context, it is difficult to accept a special prosecutor and National Assembly audit. It is appropriate to clearly disclose any related facts beforehand."

Regarding the National Assembly audit, he said, "Candidate Lee Jae-myung is expected to appear before the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee and the Public Administration and Security Committee. The facts will be clarified during that process," but added, "However, I am skeptical whether calling multiple ordinary witnesses instead of institutional witnesses can go beyond political attacks and approach the truth."

The open camp expressed regret over the recent verbal exchange with candidate Lee Nak-yeon’s side following Lee Jae-myung’s 'subak' (watermelon) remark. On the 21st, Lee Jae-myung used the expression 'watermelon vested interests within us' while refuting the Daejang-dong development preferential treatment allegations on Facebook. Lee Nak-yeon’s camp requested restraint, claiming it was a hateful expression that disparaged and excluded Honam.

Park Chan-dae, chief spokesperson of the open camp, said, "The term 'subak' means that the outside and inside are different," and criticized, "It is regrettable that Lee Nak-yeon’s camp associates 'subak' with Honam. I think it is a self-disparagement. Could it be an overreach to gain sympathy from Honam?"

Kim Byung-wook, head of the open camp’s professional division, commented on the Honam public sentiment ahead of the regional primaries on the 25th and 26th, saying, "Although candidate Lee Jae-myung’s relationship with Democratic Party members in Honam is weak, he is leading in polls, so I expect quite good results," and emphasized, "I believe Honam’s public sentiment is about deciding who is the most advantageous candidate for the main election to achieve regime reestablishment beyond personal relationships."

Kim Young-jin, head of the open camp situation room, criticized, "It is not appropriate to make unilateral accusations and attacks on candidate Lee Jae-myung without clear evidence based on one’s own frame," and added, "It seems the most 'Hong-like' person in Joseon was Yeonsangun." He further said, "From this week, wouldn’t it be right to call him 'Yeonsan-Hong'? Yeonsan was the starting point of the mid-Joseon dynasty’s downfall. The person who reminds me of Yeonsan is candidate Hong Joon-pyo."