"Kim Dong-yeon's Donation Deposited During Unification Talks with Lee Jae-myung... Must Provide Direct Explanation"

Received Donations from Chairman Kim, Suspected of Paying Legal Fees for Candidate Lee Jae-myung

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] The People Power Party has called for an explanation regarding allegations that Kim Dong-yeon, the Democratic Party candidate for Gyeonggi Province governor in the last presidential election, received large sums of campaign donations.

At the party strategy meeting held on the 24th, Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, stated, "Candidate Kim must clearly clarify whether he received campaign donations from Chairman Kim, who is suspected of paying legal fees on behalf of candidate Lee Jae-myung."

According to a media report the previous day, former Chairman Kim, who was involved in the suspicion of paying legal fees for candidate Lee Jae-myung during the presidential election process, also donated 20 million won to candidate Kim Dong-yeon. The report also stated that Chairman Kim donated 40 million won to candidate Lee Jae-myung.

Floor leader Kwon pointed out, "Former Chairman Kim is suspected of paying legal fees by appointing Lee Jae-myung's lawyer as an outside director and then providing convertible bonds." He added, "Former Chairman Kim is also suspected of being involved in the flow of 10 billion won obtained by Kim Man-bae through the Daejang-dong incident."

He continued, "The timing of the donation coincides with the period when unification between candidates Lee Jae-myung and Kim Dong-yeon was being discussed," and demanded, "Candidate Kim must disclose his relationship with Chairman Kim and the circumstances under which he received the donations to prove his integrity and transparency."

Seong Il-jong, chairman of the Policy Committee, also said at the meeting, "Why does candidate Kim Dong-yeon's name come up in such a huge case of trial trading related to candidate Lee Jae-myung?" He added, "Candidate Kim is not only the political successor of candidate Lee but is also suspected of being linked to corruption allegations."

Chairman Seong stated, "This is a major scandal related to corruption," and said, "As a candidate who seeks the judgment of the people of Gyeonggi Province, he has an obligation to clarify this matter."