Opposition Presidential Candidates Unite: "Special Prosecutor Needed for Daejang-dong"... Consensus in Debate

Yoon Seok-yeol (from the right), Hwang Kyo-ahn, Won Hee-ryong, Ha Tae-kyung, Yoo Seung-min, Choi Jae-hyung, Ahn Sang-soo, and Hong Joon-pyo, presidential primary candidates of the People Power Party, are taking a commemorative photo on the 26th at Channel A studio in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, before the 3rd broadcast debate of the People Power Party's 20th presidential primary. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] The presidential candidates of the People Power Party raised their voices demanding a special prosecutor investigation regarding the 'Daejang-dong preferential development suspicion' surrounding Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung.

At the third debate of the People Power Party presidential primary candidates held on Channel A at 9 p.m. on the 26th, former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl mentioned the Hwacheon Daeyu incident, saying, "We must immediately form a large-scale special prosecutor team," and added, "The prosecution should quickly establish a special investigation unit to prevent evidence destruction and hand over the case to the special prosecutor."

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min emphasized, "Governor Lee must accept both a special prosecutor investigation and a national audit regarding the Hwacheon Daeyu gate," and stated, "Having lived cleanly, I will thoroughly sweep away this dirty corruption gate."

Former Future United Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party) leader Hwang Kyo-ahn pointed out, "The country is in turmoil due to the Daejang-dong development suspicion. They have done things they should not have and show no shame," and added, "We must not establish a fake leader."

Various opinions were also expressed regarding People Power Party lawmaker Kwak Sang-do, who submitted his resignation from the party. It was revealed that his son received a retirement payment of 5 billion won upon leaving Hwacheon Daeyu, which sparked controversy, leading Kwak to submit his resignation on the same day.

Former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung stated, "The name of a People Power Party lawmaker even came up in the Hwacheon Daeyu case. There is no place untouched by corruption regardless of party," and insisted, "The conservative People Power Party must be renewed. We must achieve political change beyond just regime change."

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min also emphasized, "Governor Lee must accept both a special prosecutor investigation and a national audit regarding the Hwacheon Daeyu gate," and added, "Regarding lawmaker Kwak, I think the party leadership should not accept his resignation but rather expel him from the party."

Former Jeju Province Governor Won Hee-ryong said, "Even while Representative Lee Jun-seok was visiting the United States, an emergency Supreme Council meeting was held to discuss lawmaker Kwak's status," and commented, "It is an appropriate measure, but it is necessary to show clearly that we will cut off corruption with a firmer action than just accepting his resignation."

In the case of lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung, he said, "There are stories that lawmaker Kwak's child received 5 billion won, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. The main body is elsewhere," and added, "A special prosecutor investigation must be conducted to thoroughly investigate Hwacheon Daeyu from the main body to the tail."

Lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo criticized both Governor Lee and former Prosecutor General Yoon. Hong said, "This presidential election is turning into a mudslinging election," and pointed out, "The ruling party's Daejang-dong corruption and the opposition's accusation conspiracy are combined, leading to an unprecedented corrupt election in history."