Kim Jong-min: "Investigator Lee, It Is Not Appropriate for the Party to Intervene in 'Factual Disputes'"

The Party Should Criticize the Prosecution's Investigation of State Affairs or Excessive Investigation and Abuse of Authority
Giving the Impression of Political Defense Undermines Trust

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] On the 28th, Kim Jong-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, commented on the prosecution's investigation into Representative Lee Jae-myung, saying, "I do not think it is appropriate for the party to get involved in disputes over factual matters."

Kim Jong-min, the Democratic Party whip of the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee, is making a procedural statement regarding the disclosure by Yoon Chang-won, a member of the People Power Party, during the audit of the Office for Government Policy Coordination held at the National Assembly on the 4th. Yoon revealed that opposition figures Yang Gi-dae and Lee Won-wook were involved in recruitment corruption at Eastar Jet. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the same day, Kim appeared on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' in the morning and said, "If we politically defend someone without clear facts, public opinion and the people's sentiment will drift away."

Kim stated, "When the prosecution investigates, it is about disputing the facts, and this (Lee Jae-myung's) judicial issue is about disputing the facts," emphasizing, "It is not about judging right or wrong in political claims, but about determining 'what the facts are'." He then rhetorically asked, "Who knows best what the facts are? The parties involved and the prosecution conducting the investigation."

He added, "When the party involved speaks, the public thinks, 'That might be true because that person said so,' or when the prosecution presents evidence, they think, 'The prosecution's claim might be correct.' However, if we (the Democratic Party) politically defend someone without clear facts, public opinion and the people's sentiment will drift away. People will think, 'This is political shielding' or 'They are trying to protect him,' which actually decreases trust."

Kim predicted, "The party will be criticized and lose trust, which does not help the issue itself." He said, "Unless it is an issue related to the party's duties or national governance for which the Democratic Party must take responsibility, I believe that Representative Lee Jae-myung or his lawyers can sufficiently convey their points persuasively."

He continued, "What the party should do is actively refute issues related to policies, investigations into national governance, or matters involving the party or government actions," adding, "It is necessary to actively criticize or respond to excessive investigations, illegal investigations, or abuses of prosecutorial authority by the prosecution."

Kim added, "If we give the impression that we are defending too politically, the public may trust the Democratic Party or Representative Lee less regarding this issue."

Meanwhile, regarding rumors of former Representative Lee Nak-yeon's early return, he responded, "As far as I know, that is not true at all."