Lee Calls Corporate Card Misuse Trial a "Nonsensical Fabricated Indictment"

Debate Highlights
Lee Jaemyung Denounces "Nonsensical Indictment" Over Corporate Card Trial
Lee Junseok Questions Willingness to Stand Trial

Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, responded to mentions of his trial over alleged personal misuse of a corporate credit card by calling it a "nonsensical fabricated indictment."

Yonhap News Agency

During the 21st presidential election candidates' debate held at MBC in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on May 27, Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, brought up the trial, saying, "You bought 27.91 million won worth of fruit. How could anyone buy such a large amount of fruit with a corporate card?" In response, candidate Lee Jaemyung made the above remarks.

Candidate Lee Jaemyung said, "I have never used the corporate card, and the working-level department handled the fruit transactions, yet they claim I gave the orders and embezzled the funds," adding, "That is exactly what makes this a nonsensical indictment." He further stated, "They indicted me on the grounds that it appeared I gave the orders, but there is not a single piece of supporting evidence."

Candidate Lee Junseok said, "In the previous presidential election, then-candidate Hong Junpyo was attacked over the Sung Wan-jong list case in his second trial, but he expressed his willingness to stand trial. I would like to ask whether candidate Lee Jaemyung is also willing to stand trial."

In response, candidate Lee Jaemyung said, "There have been far too many indictments," and cited the Seongnam FC case, saying, "In that case, an employee has been indicted, and there are as many as 478 witnesses." He went on to say, "The prosecution state has engaged in violent political oppression. The logic that being indicted makes you a criminal, or being accused makes you a criminal, is a tactic used by the People Power Party. I hope candidate Lee Junseok will refrain from using such methods."