Namuk, Yudonggyu... Criticism Targeting Representative Lee Jae-myung
Following Daejang-dong Revelations, Ruling Party Highlights 'Judicial Risk'
Nam Wook, a lawyer involved in the Daejang-dong case, is attending the first trial session of the first instance related to the Wirye New Town development preferential treatment suspicion at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu on the morning of the 7th. Immediately after the trial, Lawyer Nam criticized Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, implying his connection to the Daejang-dong case. [Photo by Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Some of the so-called 'figures involved in the Daejang-dong incident' are speaking their minds and claims unabashedly outside the courtroom, drawing attention to the background of this behavior. Since there can be no sanctions from the court outside the press or photo lines, this can be considered as 'defense outside the courtroom.'
The political sphere also engages in disputes based on the continuous revelations. However, since these individuals are defendants who have already been detained and are undergoing trials, their claims inevitably lack credibility, and there is an opinion that they focus solely on self-defense to make sentencing conditions favorable rather than uncovering the truth.
Nam Wook, a private businessman indicted on allegations of preferential treatment and lobbying in the Daejang-dong case, appeared on the afternoon of the 7th at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, for a trial related to corruption allegations in the Wirye New Town development. After the trial, he went to the Central District Prosecutors' Office and voiced criticism targeting Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, to the press.
When asked by reporters, "Leader Lee said the prosecution's directing ability is terrible; what do you think?" Nam replied, "Well... I am very sorry because the person who cast the roles criticized the poor acting." He also said, "This work (the Daejang-dong incident) is not a movie but a documentary." When the press requested further explanation, he said, "Sorry. Please keep up the hard work. I am reading all the articles," before heading to the interrogation room.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 7th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Nam's remarks are interpreted as a rebuttal to Leader Lee's official statement, implying that Lee is at the center of the Daejang-dong incident. Earlier on the morning of the 7th, at the National Assembly Supreme Council meeting, Lee said, "I previously said the prosecution's creativity was terrible, but now it seems their directing ability is also quite poor," adding, "I think the prosecution coached Nam Wook on how to act."
Nam explained his reason for the revelations during a meeting with reporters on the 22nd of last month, saying, "Because I want to be punished only as much as I deserve." He added, "I have no intention of shifting responsibility to others with false testimony," and "I just don't want to take on everything, including things I didn't do."
He said, "As the facts come out during the testimony process and the responsibilities of others increase, it seems they view me negatively," adding, "But no one else will serve my prison sentence instead of me." Nam also emphasized that his revelations are not a reversal of previous statements but simply disclosing things he had not said before.
He said, "The only thing I reversed from my previous testimony is about the Cheonhwa-dongin No. 1 share," and "The rest are either things I already said in previous investigations or facts I am now revealing that I hadn't mentioned before."
Earlier, Yoo Dong-gyu, former Planning Director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, who was released in October, remained silent about Leader Lee during his detention and trial but made explosive remarks immediately after his release. He made statements unfavorable to Lee, such as "Traces are not all erased" and "If you committed a crime, everything will be revealed."
"Traces of Corruption Cannot Be Erased" The People Power Party Amplifies 'Lee's Judicial Risk'
Amid the continuous revelations from figures involved in the Daejang-dong incident, the ruling party is escalating judicial risks targeting Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party. On the 8th, the People Power Party focused criticism on Lee regarding the 'Daejang-dong development preferential treatment allegations.'
Jung Jin-seok, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, emphasized at the emergency committee meeting that morning, "This kind of arrogant and shameless tyranny is unprecedented. After losing the presidential election, suffering a crushing defeat in local elections, and with the party leader's judicial risk, I hope they look at their self-portrait in the mirror without any reflection, not even a fingernail's worth."
Seong Il-jong, Policy Committee Chairman, also claimed, "Leader Lee is busy hiding behind 'Gaeddal' (Reform's Daughter) in the face of unprecedented criminal allegations. Although he wears an expensive ironclad protective suit as a presidential candidate, member of the National Assembly, and party leader, he cannot erase traces of corruption."
Experts analyze that the battle of revelations aimed at self-defense will continue for the time being.
Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon pointed out, "They have the attitude of wanting to say whatever they want outside the courtroom," adding, "They are currently on trial. There can be issues of credibility as their claims cannot be fully trusted."
Lee said, "They will give the same testimony in court, but ultimately, they can have the effect of informing the public more about their thoughts externally. Also, since the political sphere exchanges disputes based on their claims, the revelations outside the courtroom will inevitably continue for a while."
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