The Democratic Party's Direct Confrontation Over Suspicions Involving Lime and Optimus

Opposition Agrees to Witness Adoption
People Power Party Pressures "Accept Special Prosecutor"

Kim Tae-nyeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 14th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The Democratic Party of Korea has dismissed the opposition's claims of a "power-type gate" related to the 'Lime·Optimus scandal' and set a course for a direct breakthrough. The opposition parties, including the People Power Party, which have defined the incident as a power-type corruption case, are raising the level of their offensive by urging the introduction of a special prosecutor.

According to the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee on the 14th, seven witnesses and one reference person were additionally adopted by agreement between the ruling and opposition party negotiators the day before. Notably, among the witnesses is Lee Mo, a former administrative officer of the Blue House's Civil Affairs Secretary Office, whose inclusion was strongly demanded by opposition lawmakers. Lee's spouse is Yoon Seok-ho, a director of Optimus who has been indicted and detained. Yoon is suspected of having his salary tripled after his wife started working at the Blue House. Lee himself is also suspected of transferring Optimus shares under a borrowed name while working at the Blue House.

The ruling party, which holds the majority of seats in the committee, agreed to the opposition's demand for witness adoption because Floor Leader Kim Tae-nyeon personally 'investigated' the allegations and judged that there was no cause for concern.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the Supreme Council meeting held that day, Kim Tae-nyeon, the Democratic Party floor leader, said, "The opposition's persistent attempts at chronic political strife are very regrettable," and urged, "We call for an end to attempts to escalate the financial fraud cases of Lime and Optimus into a power-type gate."

Park Sung-jun, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, explained at a meeting with reporters the day before, "Floor Leader Kim personally investigated the Lime·Optimus scandal and said there was no need to worry much," adding, "The exact wording from Floor Leader Kim was that it is not a matter to be concerned about."

Ruling party figures suspected of involvement in the Lime scandal are also actively clarifying their positions, showing a determination to confront the issue head-on. Kim Young-chun, the Secretary-General of the National Assembly, who is suspected of receiving lobbying from Kim Bong-hyun, the former chairman of Star Mobility and considered the main culprit in the Lime scandal, recently received a summons from the prosecution and is coordinating the schedule with them. Kim said, "The prosecution requested clarification, and we are coordinating possible dates. I hope this will clearly resolve the facts."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kang Ki-jung, former senior secretary for political affairs at the Blue House, who is suspected of receiving 50 million won from former chairman Kim Bong-hyun, is responding with a tough stance, including filing a complaint against Kim Bong-hyun for perjury and defamation. Kang is suspected of receiving 50 million won from Kim Bong-hyun.

On the other hand, the opposition parties, including the People Power Party, are intensifying their offensive. On the same day, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, appeared on a radio program and said regarding the Lime and Optimus investigations, "Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol pointed out that 'the referee and the player are in the same game'." He introduced Yoon's remark that the investigation team is biased in favor of the ruling party, making a fair investigation difficult. He also said, "I expect that the case will be pushed toward a conclusion by prosecutors who are considered to be on their side."

Joo also criticized, "Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon and floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon tend to downplay the issue as nothing serious," adding, "Looking at the current administration's behavior, they are driving out all prosecutors who properly investigate and putting in people who deliver conclusions that suit their tastes." He then urged the introduction of a special prosecutor, saying, "If the administration is confident, they should accept a special prosecutor and resolve everything at once. If the investigation is delayed and the team that does not conduct a proper investigation continues, it will only waste national resources."

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