Lee Jae-myung "Today, I will not respond to questions about private life, personal relationships, or past mayoral duties"

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, appeared as a witness at the National Assembly’s Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee’s audit of Gyeonggi Province on the 20th and requested, "Please limit the audit to subsidy payment affairs among national delegated tasks and autonomous tasks."

He then clearly stated, "I will not answer indiscriminate questions related to my private life, personal relationships, or past mayoral duties during my time as mayor."

This is interpreted as a response to the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee’s audit of Gyeonggi Province on the 18th, where the provincial administration audit was set aside, the audit session turned into a political dispute over Daejang-dong, and his personal issues became the main agenda, resulting in the provincial administration’s achievements not being properly communicated.

On the day, Governor Lee said, "According to the National Assembly Audit Act as I understand it, audits of metropolitan cities and provinces should be conducted, but since this is a national audit, it should be limited to national delegated tasks and subsidy payment affairs among autonomous tasks," drawing a clear line by adding, "Contrary to some misunderstandings, a national audit is not a confirmation hearing."

He continued, "I am not a private individual but am here as a witness representing an institution for the national audit in my capacity as Governor of Gyeonggi Province, as stipulated by law," and pointed out, "During the previous national audit, there were unlimited questions and attacks regarding mayoral duties unrelated to the governor’s role, personal private life, and personal relationships from my time as mayor."

He added, "I tried to answer as sincerely as possible to respect the authority of the National Assembly on behalf of the residents of Gyeonggi Province," but emphasized, "However, I believe that this effectively blocked inquiries and audits related to provincial administration and deprived a good opportunity to inform the public about Gyeonggi Province’s administration. Therefore, today, I will respond only to matters related to national delegated tasks and national subsidy payment projects as stipulated by law, as much as possible."