Lee Nak-yeon "Taking Yoon Mi-hyang Allegations Seriously... In Deep Consultation with the Party"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Wondara and Jeon Jinyoung] Lee Nak-yeon, chairman of the Democratic Party's COVID-19 National Crisis Overcoming Committee, said he is "taking the allegations surrounding Yoon Mi-hyang, the Democratic Party elected member, very seriously."

On the 18th, after having a luncheon meeting with elected members from the Honam region in Gwangju, Chairman Lee told reporters in response to the question, "How do you view the case of elected member Yoon?" that "I am taking it very seriously. I am consulting deeply with the party."

When asked, "Are you monitoring all related reports?" he replied, "Not all, but I am generally aware of the flow."

Chairman Lee's remarks are interpreted as a shift in the internal atmosphere of the Democratic Party regarding the Yoon Mi-hyang case. Until now, the Democratic Party has maintained an official stance of "verification of facts first." On the 14th, Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Hoon-sik issued a statement emphasizing the need to "stop sowing discord between the victim and elected member Yoon" regarding the related allegations.

Democratic Party lawmaker Park Beom-gye also appeared on CBS Radio earlier that day and said, "It seems that public opinion has clearly changed recently regarding the allegations against elected member Yoon," adding, "It may become difficult for the party to just wait for Yoon's explanation and the prosecution's investigation. Elected member Yoon needs to provide a statement today regarding the purchase of the shelter."

He also said, "The issues surrounding the purchase and sale of the shelter remind me of the case of former President Lee Myung-bak's purchase of the Naegok-dong residence site," adding, "There is a high possibility that the investigation will proceed very quickly."

Meanwhile, elected member Yoon herself clearly stated that she has no intention of resigning. On the same day, Yoon appeared on CBS Radio and, when asked about the situation where the United Future Party is demanding a thorough investigation and calling for the resignation of the elected member, she said, "I am not considering resignation requests. I would like to ask people to watch closely through my legislative activities."

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