Sujeong Lee Running for Suwonjeong, Gyeonggi, Refutes Wealth Controversy
"I Worked Hard, Paid All Taxes, and Bought a House"
Lee Su-jeong, the People Power Party candidate for Suwon Jeong district in Gyeonggi, responded to criticism from opposition parties over owning two apartments in Gangnam, Seoul, by saying, "I have a family burial site in Daejeon and a house inherited from my grandmother, so should I run in Daejeon then?" On the 26th, a debate was held on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' between Lee and Kim Jun-hyeok, the Democratic Party candidate running in the same district.
On the 14th, Lee Soo-jung, the People Power Party candidate for Suwon Jeong in the 22nd National Assembly election, announced her pledges at the Gyeonggi Provincial Council in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do. [Image source=Yonhap News]
First, candidate Kim asked, "Candidate Lee has a total property worth 8.55 billion won, including four apartments and three commercial buildings in prime locations in Seoul with his spouse," and questioned, "If you own so much real estate in Seoul, why did you choose to run in Suwon, Gyeonggi, instead of Gangnam?"
In response, candidate Lee said, "I have worked diligently in a professional field for over 25 years, and my spouse has worked for about 30 years," adding, "My spouse is a partner at a law firm and is the head of the Jeonju Yi clan, inheriting considerable ancestral property. Also, in Daejeon, we have inherited various properties from my grandmother and grandfather. I believe my spouse's assets have been sufficiently explained."
He explained, "Regarding my own assets, I currently live in a house. The house I have owned for 30 years for redevelopment purposes has now been demolished. If the house, which is half in my name, is rebuilt, I will move there, and I plan to sell the current house. The two houses I have are ones I saved and bought with my own ability."
He continued, "If you look more closely at our couple's assets, we have properties not only in Gangnam but also in Daejeon," and retorted, "Since we are from Daejeon, we have a family burial site and a house inherited from my grandmother there. Should I then run in Daejeon?" He also added, "I have been following incidents and accidents in the Suwon area for 25 years, so I know Suwon well."
Assets worth 8.5 billion won... "Criticism of assets is a personal attack"
According to the candidate's asset declaration registered with the National Election Commission, Lee reported total assets of 8.55145 billion won, including land and buildings. Among these, it was identified that he and his spouse jointly own apartments on Sinbanpo-ro in Seocho-gu, Seoul (1.993 billion won) and on Nambusunhwan-ro (1.814 billion won), among others.
Regarding criticism about his wealth, Lee said, "I worked hard, saved money, paid all taxes, and bought houses, so I understand why this is being criticized," and criticized, "In a capitalist society, criticizing someone for their assets is nothing but a personal attack."
Widely known as a criminal psychology expert through various broadcasts, Lee was recruited by the People Power Party in December last year and declared his candidacy for the Suwon Jeong district in Gyeonggi. He also joined the election campaign committee as a co-chairman for candidate Yoon Seok-yeol during the last presidential election.
Regarding President Yoon Seok-yeol's remark about "875 won green onions," Lee said on a broadcast the day before, "That refers to one root," adding, "What matters is whether there are three or five roots in one bag." President Yoon had visited the Hanaro Mart in Yangjae, Seoul, on the 18th and said, "I often go to markets, and if green onions are 875 won, I think that's a reasonable price."
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