[On-site Video] "Person with Many Issues" vs "Fabrication to Tarnish" Ruling and Opposition Clash over 'Daejang-dong Scandal', Citizens React

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, PD Yoon Jin-geun] "I hope both ruling and opposition parties reveal the truth," "Isn't this just an attempt to tarnish Governor Lee?"

The so-called 'Daejang-dong Gate' is shaking the political landscape. With the presidential election approaching, the verbal battles between the ruling and opposition parties are intense. On the 30th of last month, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, urged Governor Lee Jae-myung of Gyeonggi Province, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, to accept the special prosecutor demanded by the opposition regarding the preferential treatment allegations in the 'Daejang-dong development project,' saying, "When the mask of Governor Lee playing king is torn off, a trickster is revealed."

Earlier, on the 29th of last month, Governor Lee criticized the opposition leadership at a policy debate, saying, "I will dismiss People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok and confine floor leader Kim Ki-hyun to an Antarctic island," attacking the opposition leaders. Governor Lee claimed, "Not a single won of private gain was taken from the Daejang-dong development," and insisted, "This case is a People Power Party gate."

Citizens' opinions on the dispute between Governor Lee and the People Power Party are divided. A 23-year-old, Mr. A, met at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul, emphasized that if Governor Lee is confident, he should accept the opposition's call for a 'Daejang-dong special prosecutor.'

Another citizen, Mr. B, 80 years old, expressed the view that both ruling and opposition parties might have issues. Mr. B emphasized, "(Daejang-dong development) began when Lee Jae-myung was the mayor of Seongnam," and regarding the preferential treatment suspicions involving People Power Party lawmaker Kwak Sang-do, he claimed, "It is probably just the tip of the iceberg."

An office worker, Mr. C, 27, said, "I think this is an attempt to tarnish candidate Lee Jae-myung," adding, "(The Daejang-dong allegations) have not been clearly proven, and since he is willing to undergo investigation, I don't think it is right to push him too hard."

Meanwhile, the political world is once again stirred by so-called 'unconfirmed lists' that reportedly contain the names of individuals involved in the preferential treatment allegations related to the Daejang-dong development project. Despite these lists being unverified by investigative agencies, the dominant view is that this is a sharp issue with potential entanglements involving major presidential candidates.

On the 30th, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, held an emergency press conference and revealed, "I have seen the 5 billion club list," stating, "It was a list including four people." However, he noted that the list was from a 'private intelligence source' and said, "It is inappropriate to mention names as the information has not yet been verified," but also confirmed, "It is true that lawmaker Kwak's name was on it," and mentioned that people from Governor Lee's side were also included.

In response, Democratic Party spokesperson Lee So-young issued a written statement the same day, saying, "This is a baseless and unheard-of revelation that only stirs suspicion," and criticized, "The source is merely a 'private intelligence source,' so we must carefully reconsider whether a party leader should make such remarks."