Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, visited Jungang Market in Gangneung City, Gangwon Province on the 16th and appealed for support during an impromptu speech. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, claimed that "the prosecution is engaging in politics" in relation to the investigation into allegations of third-party payment of his legal fees.
On the 16th, after completing a 1-night, 2-day visit to Gangwon Province and on his way back to Seoul, Lee said during a YouTube live broadcast, "The prosecution, which should be the most neutral, should not act like this."
Previously, Lee’s whistleblower, Mr. Lee, alleged that attorney Lee Tae-hyung, who defended Lee Jae-myung, received not only 300 million KRW in cash as legal fees but also 2 billion KRW worth of publicly traded company stocks from Ssangbangwool Group, which could be sold after three years. Based on the recorded conversation provided by the whistleblower, the Awake Citizens Solidarity Party (Kkaesiyon) filed a complaint against Lee for false statements under the Public Official Election Act, while Lee counter-sued the whistleblower and the head of Kkaesiyon, claiming the recordings were fabricated.
Regarding the recordings, Lee said, "Can a conversation secretly recorded by the two (the whistleblower and an acquaintance) be considered evidence? They recorded their own conversation and claim there is a transcript and filed a complaint." He expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "One of the parties involved admitted that the 2 billion KRW recording was fake. They said it was a prank to try to get a 100 million KRW donation, wrote a statement to that effect, and even testified to the prosecution, so why aren’t they being punished?"
Lee emphasized, "The prosecution has already conducted searches and investigations to determine whether it is true or not, so if they had made a decision quickly, this would not have happened," adding, "Why are they just leaving it alone? Prosecution reform really needs to be done."
He continued, "Why does information that never comes out from the police, such as call records, leak everywhere once it reaches the prosecution, making people treat someone like a criminal?" and pointed out, "Isn't this all a serious crime of disclosing investigation details?"
He further stated, "If it were us, we would probably have been immediately arrested as offenders of false information and black propaganda," adding, "Because they are the opposing side, they are letting these allegations be reported continuously and letting it fade away."
Finally, Lee spoke about the upcoming presidential election, saying, "This election will also be a close race with a 1%, 2%, or 3% margin, so it ultimately depends on what the supporters do," and urged support by saying, "If our one million supporters each bring just one more supporter, the outcome could be reversed."
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