Jang Donghyuk Criticizes President Lee: "Lied About '48 Hours' Whereabouts... What Was He Thinking Filming a Variety Show?"

What the Public Wants to Know Is Not the Refrigerator, but the President's Mind
"Citizens Will Be Reminded of 'Please Take Care of Kim Hyunji'"

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, criticized President Lee Jae-myung, claiming that the 48-hour account of the president's activities following the unprecedented administrative paralysis caused by the fire at the National Intelligence Resources Management Agency (NIRM) was ultimately revealed to be a lie. He questioned how the president could have chosen to film a variety show in the midst of such a serious national disaster.

Preview of the JTBC variety show "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator," featuring President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung. Screenshot from JTBC YouTube.

On October 5, through his social media account, Jang stated, "President Lee Jae-myung's 48-hour account was ultimately a lie. He tried to cover up one falsehood with another, but yesterday he finally admitted to 'filming a variety show on the 28th of last month.'

Previously, Assemblyman Joo Jinwoo of the same party raised suspicions on his social media, sharing content suggesting that a variety show was filmed on the 28th and releasing photos showing police officers deployed at the filming site. He criticized, "It appears President Lee Jae-myung filmed 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator' on that day."

In response, Kang Yoojeong, spokesperson for the presidential office, explained, "There was a related face-to-face briefing on the morning of the 28th, and in the afternoon, President Lee presided over a meeting with relevant ministers and provincial governors at the Seoul Government Complex." She added, "We strongly regret that baseless suspicions have turned a national crisis into a political dispute and will pursue legal action."

However, on the 4th, spokesperson Kim Namjun revealed in a written briefing, "On the afternoon of the 28th, President Lee filmed a JTBC variety program," confirming the suspicions raised by opposition lawmakers as fact.

Jang continued, "President Lee Jae-myung, during his time as mayor of Seongnam, went so far as to file criminal complaints demanding to know President Park Geun-hye's whereabouts during the seven-hour period. As governor of Gyeonggi Province, he filmed a 'tteokbokki mukbang' during a major fire, and on the day of Kim Moonki's funeral at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, he appeared dressed as Santa Claus." He added, "Right now, the public is not curious about the contents of President Lee and his wife's refrigerator, but about what is going on in the president's mind."

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, held a press conference on the 30th of last month at the National Assembly, urging the establishment of measures to support small business owners affected by the fire at the National Intelligence Resources Management Agency. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

He further questioned, "In the midst of a serious national disaster, what was he thinking when he decided to film a variety show? Where did the idea come from to push ahead with the broadcast just one day late to avoid the funeral of the official who took his own life?" He continued, "What is he trying to hide or cover up by risking public backlash just to show a leisurely scene of rummaging through a refrigerator during Chuseok? After returning from the United Nations General Assembly, having failed in diplomacy, was the best idea he could come up with to film a variety show that once brought him attention during his time as mayor of Seongnam?"

Jang concluded, "Throughout tomorrow's broadcast, all the people will be thinking of only one person: Kim Hyunji," leaving the phrase, "Please Take Care of Kim Hyunji."