Lee Jae-myung Visits Yangpyeong Expressway to Highlight 'Yoon Judgment Theory'... "Privatization of Power"

Choi Jae-kwan Supports... Highlighting 'Yoon Family-in-Law Favoritism' Allegations
Lee Jae-myung "Those Responsible for Favoritism Are Walking a Flower Path"
Focusing on 'Yoon Judgment Belt'... Seeking Reversal in 'Nomination Turmoil'

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited the site of the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway land, where allegations of preferential treatment for President Yoon Seok-yeol's in-laws had surfaced, to highlight the "regime judgment theory." This is interpreted as an attempt to overshadow controversies surrounding party nominations with criticism of the government and to seek a turning point. Lee plans to continue touring specific constituencies, which he calls the so-called "Yoon Seok-yeol regime judgment belt," to promote the judgment theory.

On the 7th, Lee Jae-myung visited the Gangsaeng-myeon area of Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, and raised the allegations that emerged during the process of changing the terminus of the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway. Although it was ostensibly a support rally for Choi Jae-gwan, a former local committee chairman running as a candidate in the Yeoju-si Yangpyeong-gun constituency of Gyeonggi Province, the focus of the content was on the "judgment theory." Since the launch of the Yoon Seok-yeol government, the Democratic Party has argued that the change of the expressway terminus from Yangseo-myeon to Gangsaeng-myeon was intended to give preferential treatment to the family of First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who owns land nearby.

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung visited the site of preferential treatment allegations regarding the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway in Byeongsan-ri, Gangsang-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of the 7th, and received a briefing on the planned location. [Image source=Yonhap News]

After listening to a briefing on the preferential treatment allegations from party officials at the site, Lee said, "It is a frustrating reality," and added, "They were entrusted with authority to be used for the people, but they are abusing that authority for completely unrelated purposes."

In particular, he directly criticized former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, who is running against him in Incheon Gyeyang-gu Eul, saying, "The person responsible for the (preferential treatment) allegations is not taking responsibility but seems to be walking on a flower path." The day before, Lee also emphasized on Facebook, "This irresponsible regime twisted the expressway route toward the president's in-laws' land, and when suspicions arose, even canceled a national project. Privatization of power and state affairs must be judged without fail."

After visiting the "Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway State Affairs Manipulation Truth Investigation Demand" sit-in protest site set up in front of Yangpyeong County Office, Lee continued his speech appealing for support for candidate Choi Jae-gwan. This marked his fourth "support rally," following Kwak Sang-eon, son-in-law of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun (Seoul Jongno-gu), Chae Hyun-il, who ran in the constituency of National Assembly Vice Speaker Kim Young-joo after her defection (Seoul Yeongdeungpo-gu Gap), and Hwang Hee, who was classified as a dissident faction member (Seoul Yangcheon-gu Gap).

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung is talking with Choi Jae-gwan, candidate for Yeoju-si and Yangpyeong-gun, while visiting the site of preferential treatment allegations near Gangsan-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of the 7th along the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Going forward, Lee's schedule is expected to focus on the so-called "Yoon Seok-yeol regime judgment belt" constituencies, beyond simple "campaign support." According to party officials, among the five locations in the Chungcheong region being coordinated, he is scheduled to visit Cheonan-si Gap, Chungnam Province next week. There, he is expected to highlight allegations of investigation interference in the death of a marine and pressure Shin Beom-cheol, a former Deputy Minister of National Defense running as the People Power Party candidate.

Additionally, in Hongseong-gun Yesan-gun, Chungnam Province, where former Presidential Office Senior Secretary for Civil Society Kang Seung-gyu is running, Lee is expected to focus on the "Yoon core group judgment theory," and in Yuseong-gu Eul, Daejeon, criticism will be concentrated on the government's cuts to R&D (Research and Development) budgets.