Democratic Party Refutes Favoritism Allegations in Lee Jae-myung Candidate's Eldest Son's Hospitalization... 'Vacation and Surgery Records' Released

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The Task Force (TF) for Current Issues Response under the Democratic Party of Korea’s Election Countermeasures Committee rebutted allegations on the 28th regarding preferential hospitalization of Lee Jae-myung’s eldest son, Dongho, at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital during his military service by releasing the 'Personnel Record Sheet' and 'Copy of Medical Records Certificate.'

At a press conference held at the Yeouido party headquarters on the same day, the TF stated, "According to the personnel record sheet containing the service records of the candidate’s son, it is clearly recorded that he took a leave of absence from July 19 to 28, 2014, for ten days, and the copy of the medical records certificate also documents that he underwent surgery on July 24, 2014." They added, "It has been confirmed that he used a leave of absence due to injury during service following proper procedures and received surgery, revealing that claims of preferential hospitalization at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital and unconfirmed leave records are clearly false."

On the 26th, Park Soo-young, a member of the People Power Party, raised suspicions of preferential hospitalization, stating that it was unusual for Dongho, who was assigned to a unit in Jinju, Gyeongnam, to be hospitalized at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital over 200 km away. Park also claimed that there was no personnel order document recording Dongho’s hospitalization at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital.

In response, the Democratic Party explained that Dongho used a leave of absence just before hospitalization and underwent surgery at a civilian hospital, while Jeon Ju-hye, a People Power Party lawmaker, rebutted on the 27th, arguing that there was no record of the leave of absence.

The TF stated, "(Dongho) used a legitimate leave of absence in accordance with Article 12 of the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Status and Service of Soldiers for surgery at a civilian hospital, and according to the disclosed materials, all procedures and methods have been confirmed to comply with laws and regulations."

At the press conference, TF leader Kim Seung-won explained when reporters asked why Dongho moved from Jinju, Gyeongnam to Seongnam for hospitalization, "He underwent surgery in Seongnam and then went to the nearby Armed Forces Capital Hospital."

Regarding Dongho’s hospitalization period at that time, he drew a line, saying, "It is personal information, so it is difficult to disclose now." On the suspicion that no personnel order document exists, he responded, "The candidate’s side has directly requested confirmation," and "We will present accurate evidence as soon as we receive a response."

He also pointed out, "This is the second time the People Power Party has spread false information about the eldest son, Dongho," criticizing, "They recklessly spread fake news without cross-checking on issues that the public considers most serious, such as university admissions and military service, causing widespread misinformation."

He particularly claimed, "There is suspicion that an organized committee named the 'Again SNS Headquarters,' with dozens of members, indiscriminately spreads fake news."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party filed a complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office on the same day against Park Soo-young for false information dissemination, urging a swift investigation, stating, "Even if the false information later proves groundless, it damages the candidate’s reputation and misleads voters in the presidential election, causing serious concerns about the reliability and objectivity of the presidential election."