'Daechung-dong Special Prosecutor and National Audit Clash... Ruling Party: "People Power Party's Diversion Tactic" Opposition: "If You Are Confident, Answer"'

On the afternoon of the 19th, Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, is speaking at the Democratic Party presidential candidate debate held at the Gwangju MBC Public Hall in Nam-gu, Gwangju.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Hyunju Lee and Jinyoung Jeon] On the 24th, the ruling and opposition parties clashed sharply over the introduction of a special prosecutor and the implementation of a parliamentary audit to investigate the truth behind the preferential treatment allegations in the Daejang-dong development project.

Yun Hojung, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the morning Supreme Council meeting, "The prosecution under Yoon Seok-yeol and the People Power Party, who tried to interfere in the last general election and steal votes through the 'gobal saju' incident, have brought up the parliamentary audit and special prosecutor to divert attention," adding, "At least as a legitimate party, it is only natural to conduct an internal investigation of the suspected insiders before raising such issues."

Tensions also continue between Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, the subject of the controversy, and former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon’s presidential primary campaign. However, both camps agree that the opposition’s demand for a special prosecutor is excessive. Kim Jong-min, chairman of the Political Reform Vision Committee in Lee Nak-yeon’s camp, stated in a CBS radio interview, "Even at the Democratic Party level, it should not be said that the entire Daejang-dong project is without any problems," but expressed opposition to the introduction of a special prosecutor. Woo Won-sik, election committee chairman of Lee Jae-myung’s camp, also criticized, "If we agree to a special prosecutor, negotiations will begin now and it will take several months to conclude," calling it "a shallow trick to keep raising suspicions until the presidential election ends and turn it into the ‘Daejang-dong presidential election.’"

The opposition party, which was on the defensive due to suspicions involving former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, a leading presidential candidate of the People Power Party, in the ‘gobal saju’ case, is now determined to turn the tide. Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party, said, "There can be no distinction between ruling and opposition parties when it comes to rooting out privilege and unfairness," and pressured, "Governor Lee should stop boasting with empty words and come to the National Assembly to answer the suspicions confidently." He added, "The one who hides is the culprit. The current situation reminds me painfully of the ‘Cho Kuk incident,’ which revealed a blatant hypocrisy with a stark contrast between appearance and reality." Chu Kyung-ho, senior deputy floor leader, criticized in a phone call, "Governor Lee said to investigate without any suspicion, but refusing a special prosecutor is admitting to being an accomplice."