TV Debate Among Presidential Candidates on 'Daejang-dong' Dispute... Lee Jae-myung Says "Hypocrisy, Ask the Opposition to Take Responsibility" (Summary)

Park Yong-jin "Regardless of party, all illegal corruption must be caught"
Lee Nak-yeon "A crime scene perfectly covered up with a luxury legal team... like a den of vipers"
Chu Mi-ae "Former Representative Lee colluded with the People Power Party... using opposition logic to attack"
Lee Jae-myung "People Power Party's 'blatant hypocrisy,' if I hadn't acted, private developers would have taken 100% of the development profits"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Democratic Party presidential candidates engaged in a heated debate over the 'Daejang-dong scandal' during the TV debate held on the 28th. While former leader Lee Nak-yeon and lawmaker Park Yong-jin intensified their attacks regarding the preferential development allegations in Seongnam City's Daejang-dong, Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung emphasized, "This is the audacity of the People Power Party," adding, "Over the past five years, the People Power Party has gained enormous benefits, so don't hold me responsible; hold the People Power Party accountable." Former Minister Choo Mi-ae continued her criticism of Lee Nak-yeon, asking him to "clearly state whether he suspects Lee Jae-myung's close aides," accusing him of 'internal sabotage.'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The opening salvo on the Daejang-dong controversy was fired by lawmaker Park. Park raised his voice, saying, "The shock from the Daejang-dong incident is no small matter," and added, "A rotten stench is permeating." He emphasized, "Regardless of party or political and business circles, all illegal related corruptions must be thoroughly investigated and arrested."

In response, former leader Lee nodded and replied, "I completely agree with lawmaker Park's view." He said, "I was also shocked," and harshly criticized, "This is a scene where local and construction mafias, along with Supreme Court justices, Prosecutor General, and former special prosecutors' luxury legal teams, perfectly shield each other in crime." He then pointed out, "It literally felt like a den of vipers."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Later, former leader Lee said, "For the sake of regime re-creation, it is necessary to resolve the Daejang-dong allegations," and asked, "Governor Lee said he learned from KBS News that the Daejang-dong scandal is a 'People Power Party gate.' Has there been any verification or action taken?"

Governor Lee replied, "We secured the maximum benefit for Seongnam City, but I could not know how the consortium internally distributed profits. According to the Capital Market Promotion Act or something similar, it was not disclosed, and I first learned about it through reports." When former leader Lee asked again, "Then, what actions have been taken?" Lee responded, "I am no longer the mayor of Seongnam, and I thought everything had been punished and disbanded, but those people are hiding under the protection of the People Power Party, claiming to secure the greatest benefit for Seongnam City. From a bidder's perspective, they had no choice but to select them."

When former leader Lee pressed further, "So, does that mean nothing was done, or that nothing could be done?" Lee Jae-myung retorted, "There was nothing that could be done. What could you have done if you were former leader Lee? Please tell me."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Former leader Lee said, "I believe it is necessary to quickly investigate the fact that lawmaker Kwak Sang-do's son received a 5 billion won retirement bonus for regime re-creation. Therefore, I think it is good to form a joint investigation team. What do you think?"

Governor Lee replied, "I also naturally think it would be good if the truth is revealed quickly and clearly."

Governor Lee added, "If I hadn't done anything, private contractors would have taken 100% of the profits," and said, "The opposition party wants a special prosecutor because it takes months to form one, so the election would be over before the investigation. They are just stalling and fanning suspicions. It is better for the prosecution and police to conduct the investigation quickly."

Former leader Lee responded, "I have opposed special prosecutors and parliamentary investigations from early on," and accepted, "I understand you do not oppose the formation of the joint investigation team."

On this day, former Minister Choo Mi-ae, regarding the Daejang-dong development allegations, responded to Governor Lee's remark that "there are people within our party who attack and suspect me," by indirectly criticizing former leader Lee.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Former Minister Choo said, "After seeing news that a close aide of Governor Lee's close aide was involved, I fact-checked and traced it back to a connection from 10 years ago," and defended Governor Lee, saying, "The People Power Party gate is gradually being revealed. This is a matter for investigation, not political strife."

She then targeted former leader Lee, saying, "You said you were in cahoots with the People Power Party and reminded us of MB, but recently you suddenly changed your stance and linked it to former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, talking about forming a joint investigation team. Be honest. What more do you know about Daejang-dong, and why do you keep shutting your mouth?"

Former Minister Choo added, "Are you not using the opposition party's logic to attack Governor Lee? You say he is an unstable candidate, but who are you referring to? If you are talking about any candidate here except former leader Lee, that is cowardly." She also fiercely criticized, "You made threatening remarks in Gwangju, and pressured the party to make decisions without considering the people, forcing them to decide. This is different from your gentlemanly image."

Former leader Lee retorted, "You tell me not to do internal sabotage, but why do you keep doing internal sabotage to me, former Minister Choo? Please reflect on yourself as well," he sharply said.

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