Democratic Party to Launch Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Task Force on the 1st
Kim Eui-gyeom: "An Opportunity to Properly Investigate Kim Geon-hee's Stock Manipulation"
Park Hong-geun: "Do They Mistake That Immunity Applies to the President's Spouse?"
[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon and Park Jun-i] The Democratic Party's 'Kim Geon-hee Stock Manipulation Truth Investigation Task Force (TF)' related to allegations of stock manipulation by First Lady Kim Geon-hee will be publicly launched on the 1st of next month. The Democratic Party appears to be countering the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's all-out pressure?including the prosecution's investigation of party leader Lee Jae-myung and the presidential office's complaint against spokesperson Kim Eui-gyeom?with a 'Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor'.
On the 31st, Oh Young-hwan, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, told reporters after the morning floor countermeasure meeting, "Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 1st, we plan to hold the first public meeting of the Kim Geon-hee Stock Manipulation Truth Investigation TF."
Oh emphasized, "As discussions progress and to reveal problems more transparently, we are considering upgrading the TF to a 'Dan' level. Due to the prosecution's investigation behavior that does not conform to fairness and common sense, we believe the introduction of a special prosecutor is inevitable. Accordingly, preparations and discussions are ongoing within the party."
As the Yoon administration's prosecution continues political and biased investigations against party leader Lee, voices within the Democratic Party are calling for a proper investigation into First Lady Kim's stock manipulation case. Especially, while the investigation into Lee relies even on 'testimonies' to push forward aggressively, the Kim Geon-hee stock manipulation case, despite clear evidence, is criticized for lacking speed, highlighting the Yoon administration's unfairness and double standards.
On the same day, floor leader Park Hong-geun said at the morning meeting, "Although clear illegal evidence of Kim Geon-hee's stock manipulation has emerged, the prosecution is not investigating," and criticized, "I wonder if the prosecution is just waiting for the statute of limitations to expire, or if they mistakenly believe that the presidential immunity applies to the president's spouse, or if they mistake Kim Geon-hee as the president." He then sharply warned, "We clearly warn that the price will definitely be paid."
Earlier, at the highest committee meeting held the previous day, Park said, "On the 1st of next month, the Democratic Party's Kim Geon-hee stock manipulation case TF will officially launch. We will explore all measures to prove that everyone is equal before the law and to meet the public's expectation for truth-finding without sanctuary."
The Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor TF seems to be gaining momentum following the presidential office's complaint against spokesperson Kim Eui-gyeom. On the 30th, the presidential office filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against Kim Eui-gyeom for defamation related to Kim Geon-hee. In response, Kim said, "To determine whether I defamed First Lady Kim, it must first be revealed whether she was involved in the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation," adding, "I hope this complaint becomes an opportunity for the long-pending truth about Deutsche Motors stock manipulation to be transparently revealed." Kim also questioned, "Seeing the presidential office's reaction, suspicion turns into certainty. Why is the presidential office intervening in something that happened before the marriage?"
On the same day, Kim appeared on KBS Radio and said, "Many suspicions have been raised, but the presidential office has said nothing," recalling remarks made last year by Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon during government questioning and parliamentary standing committee sessions. He said, "Minister Han said in July last year, 'This case has been investigated for a long time and thoroughly and fairly, so a conclusion will be reached soon regarding First Lady Kim Geon-hee.' However, there has not even been a single summons. If unrelated, it should be dismissed, but it has not been dismissed."
He continued, "Regardless of the ongoing first trial, a special prosecutor must be appointed regarding the connection with Kim Geon-hee," emphasizing, "The party's floor leadership and the recently formed TF are working to keep the flame of the Kim Geon-hee special prosecutor alive and to pursue it legally."
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