Lee Jae-myung shouting "Political Prosecution"... Ruling Party Lawmakers say "Playing Victim"

Ahn Cheol-soo: "Democratic Party, You Should Be Ashamed"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, raised his voice on the morning of the 10th as he appeared before the prosecution regarding the 'Seongnam FC sponsorship fund' allegations, calling the summons "a trap set by political prosecutors." In response, ruling party leadership candidates and lawmakers launched a barrage of criticism, accusing him of "playing the victim."

Jung Jin-seok, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, wrote on his social media on the morning of the 10th, "Watching the shameless 'Lee Jae-myung's appearance' makes me feel ashamed instead," adding, "Although Lee is playing the victim today, the public is well aware of his power-related corruption, which is as obvious as jujube fruit hanging on a jujube tree."

He also criticized Lee's reference to investigations of former Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, saying, "Invoking the names of those who worked hard for democracy in the Republic of Korea in the current situation is clearly a disrespect to the deceased," and "Democratic Party lawmakers knowingly participated as supporting actors in Lee Jae-myung's 'victim' act today."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is appearing on the 10th at the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Seongnam Branch in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, to undergo investigation related to the 'Seongnam FC Sponsorship Fund Allegation' case. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Kim Ki-hyun, a People Power Party lawmaker, also stated on social media, "(Lee's words) are a command to his supporters not to believe any criminal facts revealed by the prosecution, claiming they are all traps and fabrications for eliminating political opponents," adding, "It makes us reflect on whether there has ever been a case in our constitutional history where a suspect shamelessly plays the victim and talks about 'fabricated investigations' in front of the public, defending his crimes as if he were a persecuted democrat."

Lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo said, "It is a disgraceful day in constitutional history as the first opposition leader to regress the rule of law," and raised his voice, "Lee's appearance before the prosecution today was not befitting of a politician of democracy. The Democratic Party lawmakers who acted as a screen around him should feel ashamed."

He added, "It felt like watching Choi Hyung-bae and his gang shouting 'Let's go in' in the movie 'Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time,'" and criticized, "Especially placing former President Kim Dae-jung's democratization struggle and his personal corruption on the same level and blatantly inciting factional conflict was heartbreaking. It is also an insult to former President Kim."

Lawmaker Kim Woong shared a photo on social media showing Democratic Party lawmakers standing as if shielding Lee, criticizing, "Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party are a political community," and added the hashtag "#NoMoreExcusesInTheGeneralElection."

Former lawmaker Yoon Hee-sook said, "It is pitiful to see him pretending to be a victim of political oppression by even mentioning President Kim Dae-jung and Minister Jo Bong-am, but a scoundrel who steals family heirlooms to buy alcohol must be corrected," adding, "No matter how much the suspect tries to dramatize this as a historic moment, the public's view of political corruption and bribery cases remains unwaveringly focused on the essence."