"Let's Have a Special Prosecutor" vs "No Evidence"... Heated Political Clash Over Lime and Optimus Scandals

People Power Party Defines Power-Type Corruption and Launches Fierce Attack on Ruling Party
Democratic Party Retaliates, Saying "Opposition Cites Rumors"

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the floor leaders' meeting held at the National Assembly on the 13th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyemin and Jeon Jinyoung] The conservative opposition party is escalating its demand for a special prosecutor amid suspicions that ruling party figures are involved in the Lime and Optimus asset management fraud cases. The ruling party is pushing back, calling it an unfounded political attack.

On the morning of the 13th, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, referred to the previous day’s statement by Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who said, "Regardless of who the target is, the prosecution should investigate strictly and reveal the truth," and emphasized, "If this statement is sincere, the special prosecutor must be accepted."

Joo said, "Given the current progress of the prosecution’s investigation, it is difficult to expect a thorough investigation," adding, "Despite several circumstantial evidences emerging, the investigation has been delayed for months, and records have been omitted. The head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, Lee Seong-yoon, who is in charge of the investigation, even failed to report to Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, which raises many suspicions." He further criticized, "The statement by Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae that the internal documents of Optimus, which triggered the lobbying suspicions involving political and business circles, are fake is even more inappropriate."

Regarding Lee’s remark that "various unclear suspicions have been raised," Joo also said, "It is the prosecution’s role to clarify those, not for Leader Lee to make definitive statements," and criticized, "At a time when signs of a power-type scandal gate are already emerging, it is premature for the ruling party leader to make presumptions. The ruling party leader should not step in to provide guidelines or add to the narrative."

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the National Assembly inspection countermeasure meeting held at the National Assembly on the 13th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The People Power Party decided to expand its existing in-party special committee for preventing private equity fund corruption and victim relief into the "Lime and Optimus Power Corruption Gate Special Committee." The committee is chaired by Assemblyman Kwon Seong-dong, with Assemblyman Kim Do-eup, the secretary of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, and Assemblyman Seong Il-jong, the secretary of the Political Affairs Committee, added to strengthen the offensive lineup against the ruling party.

The Democratic Party repeated its claim that this is a political attack. Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the National Assembly audit countermeasure meeting, "Baseless allegations and political attacks through exaggeration have gone too far. This is a chronic disease of the opposition party."

Kim criticized the People Power Party’s labeling of the Lime and Optimus cases as a "power-type corruption gate," saying, "What has come out to justify this? To make such claims, you need substantial evidence, but instead, it’s just baseless allegations and hearsay-level rumors," and raised his voice, "If they think shaking the president, tarnishing the government, and attacking the ruling party will make them opposition leaders, that is shallow politics and will only deepen the opposition’s bad politics."

He also urged, "If the People Power Party has clear evidence, they should not hide behind parliamentary immunity but openly disclose it," and emphasized, "The Democratic Party will respond firmly to the opposition’s false claims and exaggerated suspicions."

Regarding the opposition’s demand for a special prosecutor, he dismissed it, saying, "The prosecution has expanded its investigative personnel, and Minister Choo also announced that she requested the extradition of related suspects, so I believe they have shown a strong will for a strict investigation."

Meanwhile, ruling party figures implicated in the suspicions are actively issuing clarifications.

Kang Ki-jung, former senior secretary for political affairs at the Blue House, denied again the allegation that he received 50 million won from Kim Bong-hyun, former chairman of Star Mobility, who is considered the main culprit in the Lime fund case, calling it a "blatant lie."

On the same day, Kang said on CBS Radio, "I met Lee Kang-se, known as Kim’s agent, for about 20 minutes at the Blue House, but I only gave advice and that was it." He added, "Since Kim, as the company representative, was having difficulties because a certain newspaper kept publishing articles, I advised him to quickly undergo an inspection by the financial supervisory agency and finish it," and said, "The claim that I angrily called Policy Chief Kim Sang-jo in front of him is a blatant lie." Regarding bribery allegations, he emphasized, "At the Blue House, bags are inspected and you must pass through X-ray machines. It is impossible to bring money in."

Kim Young-choon, secretary-general of the National Assembly, who is suspected of being involved in Kim Bong-hyun’s lobbying, also stated on Facebook that day, "I clearly state that I have no connection to the Lime case," and added, "The prosecution has requested an explanation, and we are coordinating possible dates. I hope this will clarify the facts."

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