Lee Nak-yeon Criticizes Lee Jae-myung in SBS Radio Interview
Kim Jong-min: "Burdening Result... Democratic Party Needs Strategy Review"
Judicial risks surrounding Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, are showing signs of resurfacing. Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon criticized Lee's leadership by mentioning calls for his resignation, while the first verdict related to the 'Daejang-dong scandal' case has been issued, reigniting tensions.
Earlier, on the 30th of last month, former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon mentioned the 'Lee Jae-myung resignation theory' on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' saying, "He goes to court several days a week, so it is natural to worry whether the general election can be held under such circumstances."
This followed his criticism of Lee's leadership at a think tank forum affiliated with Lee Nak-yeon's faction on the 28th of last month, further highlighting the judicial risk issue.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 1st. Photo by Yonhap News
In particular, Lee's judicial risk appears to have reignited as Kim Yong, a close aide of Lee and former deputy director of the Democratic Research Institute, was sentenced to five years in prison and taken into custody in court. This sentence is the first verdict related to the Daejang-dong scandal, with Kim accused of receiving bribes from the Daejang-dong group. The court recognized guilt for 670 million won of the charges against Kim.
Regarding this, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Jong-min pointed out that "this is a considerably burdensome result for Lee and the Democratic Party," emphasizing the need to reassess the party's strategy concerning Lee's judicial risks.
On the 1st, on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' Kim said, "So far, it was argued that only Yoo Dong-gyu was at fault and committed crimes up to that point, but that public officials such as Jeong Jin-sang, Kim Yong, and Lee Jae-myung were not involved. However, this seems to be starting to break down."
The ruling party pressured Lee, stating that the reality of the Daejang-dong corruption is being revealed.
On the same day, People Power Party lawmaker Hong Seok-jun said on BBS Radio's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal,' "Lee has repeatedly claimed that he never received a single won of illicit money from the Daejang-dong developers, but now that claim has been completely shattered. The court, in the first trial, clearly stated that the 670 million won received by former deputy director Kim Yong flowed into primary election and presidential election funds, and he was sentenced to a heavy prison term of five years."
Former Deputy Director Kim Yong of the Democratic Research Institute, who was indicted on charges of receiving illegal political funds and bribes from private contractors in Daejang-dong, is greeting supporters as he attends the first trial sentencing hearing held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul, on the afternoon of November 30. Photo by Yonhap News
He continued, "Is it really believable that Lee Jae-myung did not know about the money Kim Yong spent? That Kim Yong acted alone? This is not convincing from a common-sense perspective," asserting, "Now part of the truth about Daejang-dong has been revealed, and it is becoming clear how Lee Jae-myung was involved and benefited."
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party requested that the verdicts of Lee and former deputy director Kim be viewed separately.
On the 1st, Park Ju-min, Democratic Party floor deputy leader, said on YTN Radio's 'News King Park Ji-hoon,' "Regarding the primary election funds at the time, from what I heard, there was no shortage of funds, and in fact, they did not even use all the funds raised. There was no room or reason to receive or raise illegal primary election funds."
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