'Prosecutor Inspection or Kim Woong?'... People Power Party's Two Approaches to the Alleged Report Solicitation Scandal

Lee Jun-seok "Prosecutors Should Conduct Inspections Quickly"
Kim Jae-won "Kim Woong Should Explain to the Party"

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Geum Bo-ryeong] Regarding the so-called ‘accusation solicitation suspicion’ involving former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, and Kim Jae-won, the party’s Supreme Council member, have each pointed to different primary parties responsible for uncovering the truth, drawing attention. While Lee insists that the prosecution should promptly conduct an inspection, Kim raises his voice that lawmaker Kim Woong, who is suspected of delivering or jointly drafting the accusation documents, should clarify the facts.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 7th, Lee appeared on CBS Radio’s ‘Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show’ and said, “(The media that raised the suspicion is) releasing information bit by bit, and the explanations from the parties involved are also being made quite cautiously,” adding, “The party needs to know all the information to respond.” He continued, “It is difficult to immediately obtain information from the relevant media outlet, so we publicly requested the Prosecutor General. The most important thing is whether this document was created within the prosecution or not,” and said, “If, for example, it is circulating as something produced outside the prosecution, then it is not a big problem.”

He then demanded a swift inspection by the prosecution. Lee said, “In the case of lawmaker Kim Woong, he was a former prosecutor but was a civilian at that time. If he received something, it is naturally correct to forward it,” adding, “Therefore, there should be no problem arising from that, but if the person who delivered it to lawmaker Kim Woong is the problem, or if the circumstances under which the document was created are problematic, then it is a big issue. That is why I hope Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo will quickly proceed with the inspection process.”

He added, “You know how it was during former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae’s time. When the prosecution decides to conduct an inspection, they do it within a day or two,” and said, “If they speed up now and clarify these parts to the public clearly, at least there won’t be unnecessary debates.”

Supreme Council member Kim argued that lawmaker Kim Woong, regarded as the key figure in this accusation solicitation suspicion, should undergo a clarification procedure.

Kim appeared on MBC’s ‘Kim Jong-bae’s Focus’ and said, “The key to this case is indeed held by lawmaker Kim Woong,” pointing out, “He hasn’t said much precisely.”

He said, “The issue now is that a prosecutor delivered it, so it’s not about whistleblowing but whether investigation information was leaked or, furthermore, whether a request for accusation was made,” adding, “I think this issue should be clarified internally.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim also emphasized the importance of fact-finding. He said, “Negative responses, especially during the primary election stage, are not just about counterattacks but fact-finding is more important,” and mentioned, “Lawmaker Kim has given interviews to the media but it doesn’t seem like he reported or conveyed all matters to the party. At least, no one received any information, and probably other Supreme Council members were the same.”

Kim stated, “It seems there was no communication with lawmaker Kim, but if he keeps talking to the media like this, there should be a procedure for reporting, explaining, or clarifying within the party.”

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