[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] As Kim Moon-gi, head of Development Division 1 at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, who was in charge of the practical work during the Daejang-dong development, was found dead, the opposition parties urged the truth of the 'Daejang-dong development suspicion' to be clarified through a special prosecutor investigation and forensic investigation.
Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party, stated in an emergency statement released on Facebook on the 22nd, "The procession of deaths must be stopped by a special prosecutor investigation." Candidate Ahn said, "Another person related to the Daejang-dong gate has taken their own life," adding, "The public is curious and even fearful about what kind of organization the Daejang-dong gate is and what unspeakable stories or situations caused two people to take their own lives." He continued, "The main culprits are alive and well, while only the feathers take their lives or go to prison. This irrational and bizarre situation must be resolved as soon as possible," targeting Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is involved in the Daejang-dong suspicion.
Candidate Ahn emphasized, "Only national interest and pressure can reveal the truth of corruption and prevent deaths caused by suspicion," and added, "That is the enforcement of a special prosecutor investigation." He questioned, "I ask the candidates of the two major parties: What exactly are you afraid of that you avoid a double special prosecutor investigation?"
Won Hee-ryong, head of policy at the People Power Party’s election campaign committee, also expressed suspicion on Facebook on the same day, saying, "It is suspected that an invisible hand is at work behind the series of deaths." He raised suspicions, stating, "Yoo Dong-gyu, former head of planning at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, Yoo Han-gi, former head of development business, and Director Kim were all involved in changing the Daejang-dong public offering guidelines to funnel development profits to Hwacheon Daeyu. There are also rumors that those involved in Daejang-dong, including them, pledged death to protect their superiors."
He added, "The prosecution should demand forensic analysis of the mobile phones of Yoo Han-gi and Kim Moon-gi," and stated, "If necessary for a formal investigation, I will file a complaint against an unidentified person (a person from Lee Jae-myung’s Democratic Party presidential campaign) as a suspect for instigating or assisting suicide."
The New Era Preparation Committee, a direct organization of Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party’s presidential candidate, criticized on the 22nd through a statement, "How many more lives must be sacrificed to hide the truth of Daejang-dong?" Lee Du-a, spokesperson for the New Era Preparation Committee, said, "Three practical workers involved in this case attempted extreme choices, and two died," adding, "The extreme choice of Director Kim, who was a witness in Daejang-dong, means that there is a secret more precious than life hidden in the truth of the Daejang-dong gate." She added, "It means there is a superior more fearful than death."
Meanwhile, candidate Lee expressed his position regarding the opposition’s suspicion about Director Kim’s death on the same day, saying, "I do not feel it is worth special mention." After attending the 60th anniversary ceremony of the Korea Women Journalists Association at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, he told reporters, "(The raised suspicion) is probably the thought of that person (Director Won)." He added, "My position that it is right to clearly reveal the truth and bear corresponding responsibility remains unchanged," and explained, "I have already requested the Democratic Party to pass the 'Daejang-dong Special Prosecutor Act.'"
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