Sang-sik Lee: "'Colluded with the National Police Agency'?... Communication with the Police as a Public Administration Committee Member Is Natural"

People Power Party Accuses Lee of Colluding with Democrats and Police Over SNS Issue
Lee Sang-sik Clarifies Remarks Made During Leisurely Walk

Lee Sang-sik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who was criticized by the People Power Party for "confessing to collusion with the National Investigation Headquarters," rebutted on the 8th, saying, "Isn't it natural for a National Assembly member from the Police Administration and Safety Committee, who is a former police officer, to communicate with police juniors?"

In a phone interview with Asia Economy on the same day, Lee expressed his discomfort, saying, "People Power Party members really have nothing to do," and "They picked a fight over a casually posted social media (SNS) message by a lawmaker, making it seem like I did something strange."

He said, "On the 5th and 6th, the Administration and Safety Committee members visited the police, but since others could not be contacted, I acted as a messenger. Isn't that a natural thing to do?" and added, "If communicating with juniors is raised as an issue, then nothing can be done." The Administration and Safety Committee is a standing committee overseeing the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the National Election Commission, the Fire Agency, and the National Police Agency.

Earlier, Lee posted, "I was extremely busy just yesterday and the day before," and "I was on fire with calls acting as a messenger between our party and the National Investigation Headquarters, just one day before the arrest warrant expired."

Sang-sik Lee, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker, Yonhap News Agency

Regarding this, he explained, "I did not intend to write a serious post, but yesterday I went for a rare walk and saw a snowman on the National Assembly playground. I was reflecting on the situation a month ago when martial law was declared and the military stormed the National Assembly."

Previously, the People Power Party criticized Lee's post, saying, "The 'shocking illegal collusion' between the Democratic Party and the National Investigation Headquarters has been exposed in broad daylight." Shin Dong-wook, the senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated in a commentary, "We hope Lee immediately reveals who he called and met with at the National Investigation Headquarters," and "The National Investigation Headquarters must clearly disclose to the public whether all biased and illegal acts so far, including the controversial and invalid attempt to arrest President Yoon Seok-yeol, were carried out under the instructions and directives of the Democratic Party, and which officials at the National Investigation Headquarters colluded illegally with Lee Sang-sik."

Currently, Lee has edited his SNS post to say only, "I was extremely busy just yesterday and the day before. My phone was on fire and meetings continued."