Sim Sang-jung Criticizes "Ruling Party's Rescue of Lee Jae-yong? Only Possible by 'Deobureo Samsung Party'"

Sim Sang-jung, a member of the Justice Party, is holding a press conference on the 3rd phase new town supply plan at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 24th of last month. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Park] Sim Sang-jung, a Justice Party lawmaker, criticized the pardon proposal for Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong raised within the Democratic Party of Korea.

In an interview on the CBS radio program 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the morning of the 10th, Sim said, "For the Blue House and the ruling party to wholeheartedly step forward to save Lee Jae-yong is something only the 'Deobureo Samsung Party' could do," and criticized, "I want to ask what exactly is the identity of the Democratic Party of Korea."

She continued, "The core value of democratization in Gyeongju has been to strictly punish the one-person dominance system of chaebols and crimes that disrupt market order. They have insisted on this, but now they are completely overturning it," adding, "As the opposition party, I feel somewhat dismayed. The economy is the economy, and the judiciary is the judiciary. You don't conduct trials based on opinion polls and maintain the rule of law based on opinion polls, do you?"

Within the Democratic Party, the pardon proposal for Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong is being raised, led by lawmaker Lee Kwang-jae. President Moon Jae-in also met with the heads of the four major conglomerates on the 2nd and said regarding the pardon proposal for Lee, "I understand the difficulties. There are many parts that the public sympathizes with."

Sim emphasized, "If Lee Jae-yong is released following his father (the late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee), it ultimately proves that our Republic of Korea is a Samsung Republic," and stressed, "It is the state's duty to strictly punish acts that disrupt market order."

Regarding claims that Samsung Electronics' business activities are hindered due to Lee's detention, she pointed out, "Lee Jae-yong holds 1.44% of Samsung Electronics' shares," and said, "Samsung's semiconductor investments are decided as part of Samsung Group's or Samsung Electronics' management strategy, not something controlled by a chairman who owns 1.44%."

On the same day, Sim gave a positive evaluation of the Democratic Party's recommendation for withdrawal and expulsion of 12 members implicated in real estate-related suspicions following the investigation by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC). She said, "It's a common-sense decision, and I want to praise Representative Song Young-gil. Until now, they haven't properly kept common-sense matters or promises made to the public," adding, "Since they are now keeping them, I expect there will be much resistance within the party, but I hope they persistently push forward."

Addressing the People Power Party, she said, "I think the People Power Party must be the most uncomfortable about the full investigation. After all, aren't they the original party related to real estate speculation?" and added, "There is no more retreat. I want to tell them not to look for side paths and to quickly hand over the list to the ACRC."

Meanwhile, the People Power Party requested the Board of Audit and Inspection on the 9th to conduct a full investigation, stating that they cannot trust the ACRC, which is chaired by former Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Hyun-hee.

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