Lee Jae-myung: "Rumors of opinion differences between Cheongwadae and Gyeonggi Province, some officials causing trouble with baseless remarks"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung explained that his direct visit to the Shincheonji Gwacheon headquarters to obtain the list of Shincheonji followers was coordinated in advance with the Blue House. Some raised controversy, claiming that the Blue House had already agreed to receive the list of followers from Shincheonji, and that Governor Lee interfered with this.

On the morning of the 27th, Lee appeared on MBC Radio and dismissed the question, "There are reports that there was a difference of opinion between the Blue House and Gyeonggi Province during the search on the 26th," as "confusion caused by some officials saying inappropriate things."

When asked about the behind-the-scenes story, he said, "It was discussed with the Blue House's National Situation Room," adding, "To conclude, some officials said inappropriate things, causing internal discord, which in turn caused confusion."

When asked if there was an exchange of signs with the Blue House, Lee replied, "Yes."

He said, "At first, opinions differed, but I explained that the list was incorrect," and "From that explanation, the Blue House understood and waited."

He also explained, "The Blue House National Situation Room directly mediated, and the Prime Minister, myself, and others had direct talks, agreeing to adopt a dual strategy of both soft and hard approaches," adding, "The Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Health and Welfare continued consultations, while we conducted legal compulsory investigations, implementing this dual strategy simultaneously."

He continued, "The Blue House Senior Secretary for Political Affairs contacted us, saying that the Ministry of Health and Welfare would send a central epidemiological investigation team and asked us to support personnel. We waited until the central investigators arrived and eventually handed over everything."

Regarding criticism from the legal community that this was effectively a search and seizure, he responded, "Under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, local government heads are authorized to conduct investigations."

Meanwhile, Lee mentioned that the number of followers in the data he secured differed from the data received from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

He said, "The number of followers in Gyeonggi Province we received is 35,582, but the list Shincheonji provided to the government only has 31,608, which is 1,974 short."

He emphasized, "It is highly likely that other regions have a similar proportion missing," and added, "When they refuse to cooperate with the request, compulsory investigation must be conducted immediately."

Regarding the refusal to accept confirmed COVID-19 patients from Daegu in Gyeonggi Province, he reiterated the existing stance, saying, "Disease containment must be enforced, but they are recklessly trying to move patients outside the region."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.