"People Power Party attacks with false information... Serious crime that clouds public judgment"
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, denied allegations of admission fraud involving his eldest son. Earlier, the People Power Party raised suspicions about Lee's eldest son's irregular admission to Korea University.
On the 27th, Lee appeared on KBS's 'The Live' and addressed the allegations of admission fraud concerning his eldest son, stating, "He really studied very well."
He continued, "My son reportedly had top grades in all subjects. (The admission) was through the regular track, which required top grades in three areas. You can verify this by checking with his high school or Korea University. Even just looking at the admission guidelines would quickly clarify this, but the People Power Party attacked with false information without any verification," he pointed out. He added, "This is a serious crime that clouds the public's judgment."
Earlier, 67 members of the People Power Party issued a statement at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 27th, raising suspicions about the admission process of Lee's eldest son to Korea University. Representative Jung Kyung-hee, who announced the statement, claimed, "It is hard to accept as common sense that Mr. Lee's eldest son, who is a third-time exam taker with no known overseas residency experience, was admitted to the Department of Business Administration through the early admission special track, which selects candidates based on outstanding foreign language skills, overcoming fierce competition with nearly a 50:1 ratio."
In response, the Democratic Party denied the allegations as false. Kwon Hyuk-ki, Deputy Director of Public Relations for the Democratic Party's election campaign committee, stated in a briefing that day, "Lee's eldest son entered Korea University's Department of Business Administration as a repeat exam taker, not a third-time taker. Contrary to the People Power Party's false claims, he was admitted through the regular early admission track, not the special early admission track."
He further explained, "The regular early admission track involves essay and school record evaluations, and candidates are eligible only after passing the CSAT cutoff score. He took the exam and was admitted to Korea University's Department of Business Administration, not through a special track."
Deputy Director Kwon raised his voice, saying, "The People Power Party spread false information similar to content from YouTube broadcasts without verification. It seems to be a tactic to cover up the decline in support for candidate Yoon Seok-youl with negative campaigning."
Finally, Deputy Director Kwon urged, "The statement released today by the People Power Party members is clearly false, and they must all take responsibility. They should immediately retract the statement and apologize."
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