Lee Jae-myung and Lee Nak-yeon Clash Over 'Gangster Photos', Park Yong-jin Criticizes "Low-quality Fight"

Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung and former 5·18 Detainees and Wounded Association President Moon Heung-sik./Photo by Jung Un-hyun, Public Relations Director of Lee Nak-yeon Camp Facebook

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] The negative exchanges between Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, and Lee Nak-yeon, former leader of the Democratic Party, have intensified over a photo involving an 'organized crime gang' (jopok). As the two sides continue to expose each other's flaws, fellow party member Park Yong-jin criticized them, saying, "They are fighting in a despicable manner."

On the 4th, Jung Woon-hyun, the public relations director of Lee Nak-yeon's campaign, posted on Facebook, "What is the relationship between Governor Lee and the person in the photo with him?" He revealed a photo showing former 5·18 detainees and wounded association chairman Moon Heung-sik, known to be from a Gwangju organized crime gang, shaking hands with Lee Nak-yeon. Moon is currently a fugitive overseas, suspected of involvement in a redevelopment project related to the 'Gwangju Demolition Building Collapse Disaster' in June.

Jung further asked, "The person in the photo with Governor Lee is described as the 'action leader of the Gwangju violent organization' in a first trial verdict of a certain case. How should we interpret the two of them warmly holding hands?" This was a counterattack in response to Lee Jae-myung’s side questioning the relationship between Lee Nak-yeon and former Dongyang University President Choi Sung-hae, who raised allegations of forgery regarding former Justice Minister Cho Kuk’s commendation certificate, based on a photo of them together.

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon and former 5·18 Detained and Injured Association president Moon Heung-sik./Photo by Hyun Geun-taek, spokesperson of Lee Jae-myung's campaign Facebook

In response, Lee Jae-myung’s spokesperson Hyun Geun-taek posted on Facebook on the 5th, "Last November, Governor Lee held a meeting with Moon Heung-sik and representatives of three Gwangju democratization movement organizations. Although it is unclear when and where the photo was taken, there was such a reason," and rebutted, "Of course, we did not know that Chairman Moon was the 'action leader of the Gwangju violent organization.'"

Spokesperson Hyun further launched a counterattack by releasing five additional photos showing Lee Nak-yeon conversing with Moon after paying respects at the Gwangju National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in July last year and January this year. He said, "Why did candidate Lee Nak-yeon meet twice with the 'action leader of the Gwangju violent organization'? How should we interpret the two having a serious conversation?"

As the negative exchanges between the two candidates continued, lawmaker Park Yong-jin criticized them collectively.

At a key party member meeting in Daejeon that day, Park said, "They are not fighting for the future but fighting in a despicable way. What good does it do for Democratic Party presidential candidates to fight over such matters?" He added, "The candidates themselves have not crossed the line yet. They should discipline those involved and promise never to do this again."

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