Lee Jae-myung: "Yoon Administration, Wild Sword Dance"... Democratic Party "Confidently Attending"

Democratic Party, Gangwon Province Supreme Council Today
Lee Jae-myung "Don't Ask About My Attendance, Ask About Yoon Family Summons"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ji Yeon-jin] Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, sharply criticized on the 23rd, saying, "I will not stand by and watch Yoon Seok-yeol administration's reckless rampage." This came as a strong backlash for the second day following the prosecution's summons notice to Lee Jae-myung regarding the Seongnam FC sponsorship fund allegations the day before.

At the party's Supreme Council meeting held in Gangwon Province that morning, Lee said, "(The prosecution) couldn't get the answers they wanted no matter how much they searched, so now they have even brought up cases that were previously cleared of charges to summon me," adding, "They are speeding up investigations targeting the previous administration, such as the West Sea shooting and the Wolsong nuclear power plant, engaging in all-out opposition party suppression and destruction operations, and are sincerely intent on eliminating political rivals."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 19th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

He unleashed harsh expressions targeting President Yoon Seok-yeol, calling it "the reality of prosecutorial dictatorship that has no regard for people's livelihood," "fabricating nonexistent crimes with temporarily borrowed power," and "if they obsess over nonexistent crimes, they will face severe judgment at any time." Regarding whether he would appear before the prosecution on the 28th, he indicated refusal, saying, "Instead of asking when I, Lee Jae-myung, who have no clear charges, will respond to the summons, I hope they first ask when the president's family, who have clear charges of serious crimes, will be summoned for investigation."

The Supreme Council members also supported Lee. Supreme Council member Jung Cheong-rae said, "The summons notice to Lee is ill-intentioned and malicious in intent, shabby in content, and extremely rude in attitude," adding, "The prosecution, which has brought up again a case that has been cleared of charges for years and tried to summon the leader of the main opposition party by fax without prior consent, where else is there a worse prosecution than this?"

Supreme Council member Park Chan-dae also pointed out, "Despite mobilizing over 60 prosecutors from eight departments and investigating for more than a year, the prosecution has not presented a single piece of evidence to prove the charges," and criticized, "Like shuffling cards, if nothing comes out in the Daejang-dong investigation, they move to Seongnam FC, and if nothing comes out in the Seongnam FC investigation, they leak suspect facts about the Ssangbangwool case and repeat media play." He urged, "Stop obsessing over Lee and focus on the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case, where the criminal charges and evidence are clear."

However, there is a high possibility of intensified internal conflict within the Democratic Party over Lee's judicial risks. Pro-Lee (pro-Lee Jae-myung) faction lawmakers are vocally outraged over the prosecution's investigation of Lee, but some are urging him to appear before the prosecution. Former Emergency Committee member of the Democratic Party, Park Ji-hyun, said on a radio show that day, "I believe there is no chance that dust will come out even if (Lee) is searched," but argued that Lee should respond to the prosecution's summons.

The Democratic Party's position is that since the prosecution notified the summons without prior consultation, Lee should refuse to appear on the 28th. Senior Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Ho-young emphasized, "We cannot respond to the unilaterally sent notice on the 28th," adding, "There are internal discussions that must precede due to the Gwangju (Into the People) schedule and the Supreme Council meeting, and it is necessary to negotiate whether to respond to a written investigation or the date of the investigation."

Previously, on September 6, Lee was also requested to appear by the prosecution on charges of violation of the Public Official Election Act but submitted a written statement and did not appear. At that time, Lee decided the direction after discussions such as the Supreme Council meeting. The prosecution indicted Lee without detention at that time. However, in this case, the circumstances differ from before, and there are talks that a summons investigation is inevitable.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is taking off his mask to speak at the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 23rd. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The ruling party launched a relentless offensive on the same day, urging Lee to appear before the prosecution. Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the party's floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "(Lee) should not argue in the political arena but, as he said, if he is not responsible, he should go and confidently clarify it," adding, "The whole party being mobilized to call it opposition suppression seems inappropriate, and the response seems wrong."

He pointed out, "Last August, Lee said on Facebook, 'Even if we assume that advertising fees were received on the condition of changing the use, it theoretically cannot be bribery because it benefits the citizens of Seongnam, not Lee Jae-myung personally,' but this is wrong," adding, "I don't know why a lawyer would make such a big mistake, but this is third-party bribery." At that time, Lee explained that the Seongnam FC sponsorship fund was regarded as 'public interest' and that he did not pursue 'private gain.' Policy Committee Chairperson Seong Il-jong also said, "If Lee is truly confident, this summons notice from the prosecution will be a good opportunity to clear the criminal charges against him," adding, "It is not something to fear but something to welcome."