Lee Jae-myung Flatly Denies Embezzlement Allegations: "Disagreement Due to Opinions Not Accepted During Negotiation Process"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate (current Governor of Gyeonggi Province), addressed the 'breach of trust controversy' raised regarding his statement that he did not accept the working-level staff's proposal for a clause on excess profit recovery during the Daejang-dong development process, saying, "How can not accepting an opinion logically be considered a breach of trust?"

On the 20th, during the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee's audit held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government office, Lee responded to a question from Kim Eun-hye of the People Power Party, saying, "A junior employee at the deputy manager level proposed, 'We are negotiating by submitting a bid for confirmed profits, but if the land price rises in the future, let's try to get more,' but it was not adopted," adding, "I was not informed at the time; I only learned about it through recent reports."

He continued, "A deputy manager from an affiliate company was working on an important project, and although negotiations, proposals, bids, and decisions had already been made, they suggested asking for more. However, the team leader, section chief, director, vice president, executive director, managing director, and president did not approve it. Would they report that to the chairman?" He added, "I had never heard of it at the time. It goes against common sense."

Lee further explained, "If the house prices rise more than expected, if we say let's share the profits, then naturally, if the house prices fall, the other party should agree to lower the fixed profits, right?" He emphasized, "How can not accepting a working-level opinion during negotiations be considered a breach of trust?"