Party's 'Expression of Regret' Demand Rejected
Unprecedented Personal Remarks After Supreme Council Meeting
Democrats Officially Refrain from Mentioning 'Responsibility' Debate
No Mention of Kim Eui-gyeom's Resignation Proposal Either
[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon and Park Jun-i] Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, made a resolute statement, saying, "The prosecution should conduct investigations, not put on a show." He dismissed internal party demands for an expression of regret over the successive arrests of his close aides.
On the 25th, after the Supreme Council meeting, Lee told reporters, "Is the purpose of the (prosecution's) investigation to uncover the truth or to fabricate the case? I will not obstruct the prosecution's investigation," adding, "As I clearly stated during last year's National Assembly audit, I agreed to (the prosecution) proceeding without a warrant regarding my accounts and my family's accounts. That remains the same now." He continued, "Feel free to investigate anytime. Putting on a show as if there is a problem is not desirable even for the prosecution organization itself," criticizing their actions.
Lee's personal remarks are unusual. Until now, he had never responded to questions whenever the prosecution investigated his closest aides.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
The Democratic Party is refraining from making official comments regarding Lee's political responsibility. On the morning of the same day, Floor Leader Park Hong-geun only addressed current issues during the Supreme Council meeting. Park said, "If you want to uncover the truth about the Itaewon tragedy, instead of just shouting for a thorough investigation, the first step should be to dismiss Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min," and added, "President Yoon Seok-youl is strongly urged to take dismissal action against this minister by next Monday." Regarding the linkage system for supply prices, he said, "I hope it will be a great help to small and medium-sized business owners who are going through difficult times due to high exchange rates, high interest rates, and high inflation," and added, "Its prompt passage will bring hope to small and medium-sized business owners facing the risk of collapse."
However, Jeong Seong-ho, a pro-Lee Jae-myung faction leader and Democratic Party lawmaker, said on the radio that day, "I don't think the Democratic Party is currently fully mobilized to defend against the prosecution's investigation targeting the party." Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won called for a united response at the party level. On the radio the previous day, he emphasized, "The Democratic Party traditionally must fight united and in solidarity," and said, "Whether it's Kim Yong, Jeong Jin-sang, or Noh Woong-rae, we should respond without discrimination. That is comradeship."
Regarding the recent calls for resignation of lawmaker Kim Eui-gyeom, who raised suspicions about the 'Cheongdam-dong drinking party,' the Democratic Party leadership made no particular remarks that day.
Kim Eui-gyeom, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, attended the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th, listening to the remarks of Representative Lee Jae-myung with a serious expression. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
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