Yoon Seok-yeol: "Friendship with Kim Man-bae of Hwacheon Daeyu? Even a Passing Cow Would Laugh... They're Just Putting on a Show Among Themselves"

"If There Had Been a Problem with Me, It Would Have Already Surfaced During the Primary"
Lee's Spouse Kim Hye-kyung Says "Strict Investigation Needed" Regarding Allegations of Excessive Protocols

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is delivering the keynote speech at the policy forum titled "Science and Technology Change the Future of Korea," held on the 8th at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, dismissed the rumors of his close relationship with Kim Man-bae, the major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu, who is at the center of the Daejang-dong development preferential treatment allegations, as "something that would make even a passing cow laugh."

In an interview on Channel A's 'News A' on the 8th, Candidate Yoon said, "I left the Supreme Prosecutors' Office more than 10 years ago, and I barely even saw the person, so how could there be any relationship between us?" He added, "They are just putting on a show among themselves."

Candidate Yoon said, "If there had been any problem with me, wouldn't it have already come out during the primaries and been dealt with? What kind of close relationship are they talking about?"

He then targeted Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, saying, "Watching the Democratic Party primaries, instead of answering questions, Candidate Lee kept giving irrelevant answers," and added, "So if the opportunity arises in the next debate, I plan to keep asking."

Candidate Yoon continued, "A small group within a handful of people gained nearly 1 trillion won in profits, didn't they? Most of the people who designed this have been indicted, and now only Candidate Lee has not been indicted. If the subordinates think they can bypass the mayor and arbitrarily give nearly 1 trillion won in profits to a specific person, wouldn't that mean that the law, justice, and system of the Republic of Korea have all collapsed?" He questioned, "That's why the public is most puzzled, and I have no choice but to ask."

Regarding the controversies surrounding Lee's spouse, Kim Hye-kyung, including excessive protocol and misuse of corporate credit cards, he claimed, "Whether it's Candidate Lee or Democratic Party politicians, they always say they will eradicate unfairness, privileges, and illegal acts of vested interests, but looking at many cases so far, haven't they actually been the ones doing the opposite and abusing power?"

Candidate Yoon also said, "Since I have insisted on unlimited scrutiny of candidates' spouses, there should be a strict investigation and clarification of circumstances regarding himself and his family at the same level as what was applied to me," and questioned, "Isn't that fair?"

Regarding the timing of the appearance of his spouse, Kim Geon-hee, he replied, "There is no plan yet. After I register as a candidate or so, I will consider it, but for now, there is no particular plan."

Candidate Yoon added, "I got married at 52, and my wife also got married late after working independently, so each of us respects the other's work," and explained, "My wife is not in a situation where she depends on me, so she hasn't really told me how much she will help or get involved in my politics, so I just respect that."