[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Ahead of the National Assembly audit scheduled for the 18th, where a confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties is expected over the 'Daejang-dong development favoritism,' the Democratic Party of Korea appears to be focusing on a counterattack by labeling it the 'People Power Party Gate.'
On the 17th, Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, launched the 'Hwacheon Daeyu Construction Corruption Truth Investigation TF' and stated at the first meeting, "Lee Jae-myung's lone struggle against the corrupt cartel of the People Power Party's construction forces and corrupt legal professionals is becoming evident," adding, "Despite the Park Geun-hye administration's oppression, the recovery of 550.3 billion won in development profits is an enormous achievement."
He continued, "Current and former lawmakers and former Supreme Court justices related to the People Power Party and the Park Geun-hye administration were caught dividing stolen goods and are now fighting among themselves," turning his criticism toward, "Above all, new allegations surrounding candidate Yoon Seok-yeol are emerging daily."
Leader Song emphasized, "If the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's Central Investigation Department had investigated the illegal loan case in 2011 according to principles, the construction forces could have been prevented from preemptively hoarding land in Daejang-dong," and added, "It is necessary to conduct an accurate investigation into why Yoon Seok-yeol, then head of Division 2, excluded this from the investigation."
Kim Byung-wook, a lawmaker heading the TF, raised his voice again, stating, "The Daejang-dong development is the best public interest recovery project in history." Kim said, "Of the estimated 630 billion won profit in 2015, the private investor who invested 1.5 trillion won took 180 billion won in variable profits, while Seongnam City took a confirmed profit of 440 billion won (over 70%) first," and questioned, "In 2015, when the real estate market was at its worst, signs of improvement appeared in August 2017, leading to an additional recovery of 110 billion won. How is this embezzlement?"
He continued, "At that time, the construction corruption forces raised funds from 11 savings banks, including Busan Savings Bank. In early 2011, the prosecution investigated the savings bank bad loan crisis led by Busan Savings Bank, but Hwacheon Daeyu-related matters were excluded, raising suspicions," emphasizing, "The chief prosecutor at Busan Savings Bank at the time was Yoon Seok-yeol, head of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Central Investigation Division 2, and the lawyer appointed by Cho was former special prosecutor Park Young-soo."
He asked, "Was there even one person related to the Democratic Party among those who received money?" and answered, "All are related to the People Power Party or its predecessors, the Grand National Party and Saenuri Party. That is why we call it the 'People Power Party Construction Corruption' gate."
On the same day, the Democratic Party also launched the 'Complaint Fabrication National Disorder Truth Investigation TF.'
Park Joo-min, head of the TF, said, "It is a clear violation of the neutrality obligation of public officials and election interference for a person suspected of fabricating complaints to run for president," adding, "We will trace and hold accountable former Prosecutor General Yoon for privatizing the powerful prosecution authority and abusing power for himself, his family, and close associates."
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