Lee Cheol-gyu Expresses Position on Son and Daughter-in-law's Investigation in Interview with Sunday Newspaper
"Police Secretly Trailed My Son... It Was to Disgrace Us"
"No Excuses for the Wrongdoing... I Will Take Moral Responsibility"
Regarding the investigation into the attempted liquid marijuana transaction involving the son and daughter-in-law of Lee Cheol-gyu, a member of the People Power Party, Lee stated that he "had no idea." In an interview with Sunday Newspaper on the 11th, Lee explained, "If I had known, how could I have just let it go?" adding, "(My daughter-in-law) was sitting in the car saying she was going to the market that day."
According to Sunday Newspaper, Lee's son was previously punished for marijuana inhalation. In response, Lee said, "He went to Thailand with a senior from the military, and the senior lent it to him out of curiosity," adding, "At that time, my son went alone to the prosecution for questioning, and the prosecution decided not to indict him. I didn't know either." He continued, "That senior kept trying to control my son. It's also my son's fault for not cutting ties with such a person."
Regarding suspicions raised by some that the police delayed the arrest to avoid upsetting Lee, who is considered pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol faction), Lee drew a clear line, saying, "No one is being favored or protected." He claimed, "This is an October case, and the police had it. My son himself forgot and didn't know about it," adding, "The police didn't even ask once, then on the 25th of last month, they took him away without any evidence and leaked it to the media."
Lee also claimed there is a mastermind targeting him. He said, "The police kept my son under strict surveillance for 4 to 5 months," and "When they couldn't frame him for anything else, they arrested him for attempted transaction." He added, "Isn't this to disgrace me?" and pointed out, "My son receives more excessive criticism because of me than for his own mistakes. There is definitely a mastermind behind this."
He said, "I have an idea who the mastermind is, but how can I say for sure without confirmation?" yet claimed, "Those who speak maliciously are all 'Han-ddal' (Han Dong-hoon's daughters). People from the Democratic Party don't do that because they also suffer."
Lee stated, "My son, at the age of 36, got involved out of curiosity and tasted the consequences," adding, "There is no excuse; he was wrong a hundred and a thousand times. He must be thoroughly investigated and bear legal responsibility according to his wrongdoing." He continued, "I am sorry that my child is involved in an unfortunate incident. I will take moral responsibility," and added, "I have no intention of protecting my son. Although it is upsetting, it is fortunate that I have come to know about it now for my child's sake."
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