"Expressed concerns that the 'Prosecutor Republic' might reopen"
Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is giving an impromptu speech with tears in his eyes at the "Maetaverse" Seongnam, Into the Public Sentiment! event held on the afternoon of the 24th at Sangdaewon Market in Jungwon-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on the 24th regarding his statement, "If I lose this election, I think I will be imprisoned for a crime I did not commit," that "(If Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, wins) there is a concern that a prosecutorial republic might be reopened, and that was how I expressed my worry." He added, "It was not about me at all."
In an interview with YTN on the same day, Lee referred to Yoon's comment calling him a "definite criminal," saying, "Judgments should be made based on evidence, common sense, and legal principles, but it is absurd to label a specific person as a criminal like that."
He targeted Yoon's background as a special investigation unit prosecutor, stating, "The special investigation unit conducts investigations with a predetermined purpose. So once they set their goal, they only gather evidence that fits it and exclude any evidence that contradicts it, which can cause innocent people to feel severe pressure."
Earlier, on the 22nd, Lee made an impromptu speech beside Seokchon Lake in Songpa-gu, Seoul, saying, "The fear of a prosecutorial republic is not just the sound of passing wind but a reality confronting us," and "If I lose this time, I think I will be imprisoned for a crime I did not commit."
In response, Yoon, after concluding the Chungbuk election headquarters' victory resolution rally held at the Chungbuk Disabled Sports Center in Cheongju on the same day, told reporters, "Can a regime that imprisons people for crimes they did not commit survive?" and added, "The people will judge."
Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is answering reporters' questions after announcing the foreign affairs and security global vision titled "A Global Hub Nation Contributing to Freedom, Peace, and Prosperity" at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 24th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Regarding Yoon's rebuttal, Lee countered, "Creating crimes that do not exist is what special investigation prosecutors have done," and "There is a high possibility that prosecutorial power or state power, which some citizens are concerned about, could be abused for private interests."
Meanwhile, Lee also expressed critical views on the shamanism controversy involving Yoon and his spouse Kim Geon-hee. He pointed out, "The fate of the nation or the lives of the people, which should be decided reasonably and scientifically based on logical grounds, being contaminated by other factors and influenced by unofficial or unscientific realms is a serious issue for the future."
He continued, "Such matters need to be eliminated during the competition process," adding, "Although it may appear negative, it is a necessary part of the competition."
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