Jang Dong-hyuk "I Cannot Fabricate Crimes"
Democratic Party "Prosecutors Are Engaging in Politics, Not Investigation"
[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The ruling and opposition parties showed starkly different reactions to Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, being investigated by prosecutors over allegations related to the 'Wirye New Town and Daejang-dong Development Project Special Favor Case.' Regarding the prosecution's investigation, the ruling party criticized Lee by saying he is "doing all sorts of things," while the opposition party pointed to the prosecution's investigation as a "typical case of human rights-violating investigation."
On the 29th, Jang Dong-hyuk, floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, commented on Lee's statement during the previous day's prosecution investigation that he "felt the prosecution was doing politics rather than investigation," saying, "Lee Jae-myung, who consistently treated the investigation as a 'political show' rather than an actual investigation, made this remark as he wrapped up the political show according to a script," and asserted, "The prosecution cannot cover up crimes that exist, but it certainly cannot fabricate crimes that do not exist."
Jang added, "The prosecution asked Lee Jae-myung, who only submitted a written statement and remained silent, questions from various angles, presented materials, requested opinions, and read documents aloud," and criticized, "They are attacking this as a 'shaming' tactic. If the world does not move according to their thoughts, everything becomes a 'shaming political show,' 'political retaliation,' or 'dictatorship'?"
Regarding the 10-hour-long investigation, he further criticized, "They are insisting on 'deliberate delay' over the fact that it took 10 hours to investigate two of the largest development corruption cases since the founding of the nation," and scolded, "Really, they are doing all sorts of things."
On the other hand, the Democratic Party's Committee for Countermeasures Against Prosecutorial Dictatorship and Political Oppression stated in a press release, "(Lee Jae-myung) sincerely responded to the investigation despite it being a 'fabricated investigation for eliminating political opponents,' but the prosecution consistently conducted a biased and unfair investigation, a human rights-violating and shaming power trip from start to finish," and claimed, "Yesterday's prosecution investigation once again made it clear that the prosecution is engaging in politics rather than investigation."
The committee pointed out that although the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office had pre-notified that only media outlets with press passes would be allowed to film, "YouTuber 'Garosero Research Institute' was actually permitted entry, and Garosero was repeatedly seen freely taking photos at the photo line," and demanded, "The reasons for blocking current members of the National Assembly from entering the premises while allowing Garosero Research Institute's access must be clearly explained."
Regarding the blocking of the Democratic Party leadership and others who tried to enter the outdoor premises of the prosecution building to greet Lee after the investigation, the committee criticized, "They blocked entry to the building grounds on the grounds of not having a press pass," and added, "Most public institutions allow any citizen to enter the outdoor premises of their buildings. The prosecution controlled the access of elected officials for reasons that are incomprehensible."
During the investigation process, the committee reported, "It was marked by a 'time-wasting' tactic, repeatedly asking the same questions, showing the submitted materials again, repeatedly asking about the meaning of contents written in official documents or opinions on opinions, and even reading documents aloud," and called the repeated questioning "a typical case of human rights-violating investigation." Furthermore, citing prosecution officials, they pointed out that the reports on allegations related to Lee were "prosecution-originated disclosures of suspect facts without presenting concrete evidence, stigmatizing Lee as a criminal, and constitute official secrets leakage."
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