Lee Jae-myung: "Prosecutors' Investigation Was Excessive... But If Guilty Verdict Confirmed, Cho Kuk Family Must Also Be Held Accountable" (Comprehensive)

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, who officially declared his candidacy for the presidential election, visited the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on the 1st. After paying respects at the Student Volunteer Army Unknown Soldier Monument, he responded to questions from the press. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Lee Jae-myung, the prominent presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, stated on the 2nd regarding the "Cho Kuk incident" that "there is a bigger problem with the prosecution's selective exercise of prosecutorial power," but also said, "If guilt is confirmed, former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk's family must also take responsibility."

During an online press conference that day, Lee said, "The investigation into former Minister Cho was clearly excessive. There was illegal disclosure of suspect information and an enormous witch hunt during the investigation process," and added, "Fundamentally, the problem lies with the prosecution under Yoon Seok-yeol, which exercised selective justice."

However, he added, "In one aspect, public officials must prepare so that no dust comes out even if they are scrutinized," and "I do not know whether former Minister Cho or his family committed any illegal acts. Because of human limitations, we have no choice but to accept the court's decision." This means that apart from the prosecution's investigation of former Minister Cho, the judiciary's judgment must be followed.

Regarding real estate policy, he said, "Prices determined by normal supply and demand must be respected," and "It is necessary to impose taxes without forcibly suppressing prices and to prevent distortion of supply and demand." He continued, "If one owns real estate beyond the minimum necessary for living and work, they should neither suffer losses nor gain profits," and said, "Taxes should be strengthened at the acquisition, holding, and transfer stages to make unearned income impossible."

Regarding the controversy over the exclusion of accountant Kim Kyung-yul, author of the "Cho Kuk Black Book," from the party's primary public interview panel after disputes over his recruitment, Lee expressed a different view from former party leader Lee Nak-yeon and former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun. Lee said, "I thought it would be okay if (accountant Kim) was one of the interviewers, and I also think it is okay that it was later changed."

He said, "I do not agree with (Kim Kyung-yul's remarks) either," and added, "If we become too sensitive, it may appear that we lack composure to the public, so it is better to accept it magnanimously and generously." Earlier, former leader Lee Nak-yeon reacted to the news of Kim's recruitment as an interviewer by saying, "I doubted my eyes. It is hard to believe this is truly a decision of the Democratic Party," and former Prime Minister Chung also criticized, "Why is the party leadership trying so harshly to prolong 'Cho Kuk's time'?"

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