Hermo says, "I frequently use Mashaji Shop... So what if I'm single?"
Lee Jun-seok says, "Compare it with the promotional image of the place Lee Jae-myung's son visited."
[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Amid allegations of prostitution after Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate's son, wrote a review of an illegal massage parlor, former journalist Heo claimed that Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, also visits massage parlors. In response, Lee Jun-seok denied the claim, stating, "It is not a brothel but a place frequented by many celebrities."
On the 17th, Heo, a former reporter for The Hankyoreh, posted on social media, "I also often go to massage shops. I'm single, so what's the big deal?" He added, "I won't disclose the exact place I frequent, but it is a place that Lee Jun-seok also visited in the past. His autograph is even displayed at the shop," defending Lee Jae-myung's son.
Heo continued, "I am well aware that discreet sexual acts take place there," and claimed, "There were some close calls for me at that shop, and perhaps the same was true for Lee Jun-seok."
Lee Jun-seok had previously posted photos on his Instagram and other platforms showing him receiving a foot massage at a massage parlor in Sanggye-dong. Heo referred to this, asserting that the place also secretly conducts sexual acts.
The People Power Party immediately pushed back against Heo's claims. They plan to sue Heo for violating Article 70 of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, etc.
Lee Jun-seok also responded on his Facebook, saying, "Someone raised strange suspicions about me because they saw my autograph at a massage parlor. It seems like an attempt to cause trouble for candidate Lee Jae-myung." He added, "The place Lee Jae-myung's son visited is so embarrassing that I can't even post its advertisement, but this place is one where celebrities like Jessi, Jun Hyun-moo, and Jo Se-ho confidently visit and even leave autographs."
He continued, "Heo, the former journalist, who portrayed this place as if it were a brothel, has damaged my reputation. If I were the owner of this shop, I wouldn't let this slide." Lee also posted photos of the massage parlor showing autographs from celebrities Jessi, Jun Hyun-moo, and Jo Se-ho.
In another post, Lee said, "I walk around my constituency all day near this Thai massage shop, and when my feet hurt too much, I get a massage." He added, "For those trying to divert attention from the allegations involving candidate Lee Jae-myung's child, try finding promotional images of the shop that the candidate's son is presumed to have visited and compare them."
Meanwhile, Heo, formerly of The Hankyoreh, was arrested in May 2018 on charges of methamphetamine use, tested positive for methamphetamine, and subsequently resigned.
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