"Owner of Hwacheon Daeyu to Go to Prison" Political Circles, 'Daejang-dong Gate' Spreads Widely

Lee Nak-yeon "Vaguely Guessing... Details Will Gradually Emerge"
Lee Jae-myung "Hwacheon Daeyu Belongs to the People Power Party Colluding with Construction Forces"
Yoon "The Mastermind of the Daejang-dong Gate is Lee Jae-myung... If I Become President, Hwacheon Daeyu's Owner Will Go to Prison"
Hong "The Thief's Boss Calling Others Thieves Is the Height of Hypocrisy"

On the 26th, after the joint speech event for the Democratic Party presidential candidate selection held at Woosuk University Gymnasium in Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk, candidate Lee Jae-myung and candidate Lee Nak-yeon are shaking hands with other candidates.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Recently, sharp confrontations without distinction between ruling and opposition parties have continued in the political sphere over the development scandal in Daejang-dong, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do.

On the 27th, former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, in an interview with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' was asked by the host about the case involving the son of independent lawmaker Kwak Sang-do (formerly of the People Power Party), saying, "Is this a People Power Party gate? Is the architect on Governor Lee's side?" He replied, "If we consider the big picture as an elephant, then the elephant's legs and ears will also appear. Although we don't know when, I think the entire elephant will be drawn. It will gradually come out."

When the host asked, "Is there a big picture emerging?" he said, "I have a vague idea," adding, "I have heard various things, but I am extremely reserved in my words."

Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung, at a press conference held at the Jeju Chamber of Commerce and Industry that day, referred to the case of lawmaker Kwak's son, raising his voice, saying, "'Who owns Hwacheon Daeyu?' Hwacheon Daeyu belongs to the People Power Party, which colluded with construction forces."

He continued, "Why would (lawmaker Kwak's) son receive 5 billion won each?" and claimed, "It is the result of a collusion between political power and speculative forces." He added, "It is outrageous to criticize me, who worked hard to prevent these forces' unearned income from development after being elected mayor of Seongnam," and said, "What the People Power Party is doing is nothing but a band of thieves. They should reflect on themselves."

Gwak Sang-do, Independent (former People Power Party) member of the National Assembly. [Image source=Yonhap News]

He also said, "The People Power Party should engage in politics properly. Covering the sky with your palm does not make the sky disappear," and urged, "All party leaders, including floor leader Kim Ki-hyun, should prostrate themselves and apologize."

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl also wrote on his Facebook that day, "Anyone can see that the main body of the Daejang-dong gate is Lee Jae-myung," and said, "There is clear evidence, including a confession and signed documents, that he is the architect. How can one cover the sky with their palm?"

He added, "If I become president, there will be no incidents like Daejang-dong, and the owner of Hwacheon Daeyu will go to prison."

Lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo also criticized on his Facebook the same day, saying, "Calling us thieves while being the leader of thieves themselves is exactly what is called jeokbanhajang (賊反荷杖)."

He continued, "Even if lawmaker Kwak Sang-do is involved, I have no intention of defending him. He must be severely punished," and urged, "However, if the main culprits are left to roam freely while only peripheral investigations are pursued, it will be difficult to avoid criticism of being a political prosecution. Those involved in corruption, regardless of party, must be severely punished in the name of the people."