[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate (current Governor of Gyeonggi Province), criticized the People Power Party, which presented a photo of a bundle of cash at the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee hearing on the 18th, alleging the candidate's involvement with gangsters, saying, "They conducted a smear campaign, but it seems the (smear) bird will be caught."
Park Chandae, the chief spokesperson for Lee's campaign, said in an interview with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the morning of the same day, "Launching a smear campaign at the National Assembly hearing is a way of mocking the people."
Regarding the hearing the previous day, Park praised Lee, saying, "Despite others' objections, he came out to fully perform his role as governor, so I think both the effort and the content were excellent," while criticizing the People Power Party, saying, "The content was poor, and since they even cheated, it was disgraceful."
He sharply criticized the gangster involvement allegation raised by Kim Yong-pan of the People Power Party, calling it "a National Assembly hearing at the level of a school play based on absurd and ridiculous photos." He added, "Kim Do-eup, a former prosecutor, Kim Yong-pan, a former police officer, and Kim Hyung-dong, a lawyer, all made such claims based on absurd materials at a serious occasion watched by the public."
Regarding Kim Yong-pan, he said, "He is also the person who hastily covered up the National Intelligence Service's online comment scandal. Although he is a fellow lawmaker, I think he especially fails to gain trust from ruling party members."
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