Protecting Lee Jae-myung and Overturning Lee Jae-myung... The Ruling Party Divided by Daejang-dong Allegations

Leadership Acts as Ally to Block Offense
Claims of Suspicion Denied as Political Plot
People Power Party Counterattacks on Corruption

Presidential Candidates Including Lee Nak-yeon Criticize
Urge Prosecutors and Police to Investigate Daejang-dong
Even Mention the Term 'Lee Jae-myung Gate'

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential primary candidate, held an on-site meeting with self-employed workers in industries affected by the COVID-19 crisis at a coin karaoke room in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 7th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] As the Daejang-dong development allegations intertwine with the Democratic Party's internal primary race, they have emerged as a significant variable in Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung's presidential campaign. Within the party, there is a stronger tendency to protect the leading presidential candidate by blocking opposition attacks, but on the side competing with Lee for the presidential nomination, there is also an incentive to politically exploit the issue.

For now, the party leadership is taking the stance that the Daejang-dong development allegations themselves are a political offensive aimed at undermining the ruling party's leading candidate, thus acting as allies to Governor Lee. They have been counterattacking daily, arguing that the allegations actually expose corruption on the People Power Party's side. On the morning of the 7th, Floor Leader Yoon Ho-jung said at the National Assembly inspection countermeasures meeting, "If Lee had designed the Daejang-dong development plan as the People Power Party claims, why did all the money go to People Power Party figures?" adding, "The opposition's behavior is pathetic and disgraceful." Party Leader Song Young-gil also praised Lee at the previous day's Supreme Council meeting, saying, "Recovering 550.3 billion won for the public is commendable." While there is a difference in the degree of enthusiasm in protecting Lee within the party leadership, the overall atmosphere strongly supports him.

However, voices calling for Lee to be pressured are not insignificant. A representative group is the camp of former Democratic Party Leader Lee Nak-yeon, who is a primary competitor. The former leader urged the prosecution and police to investigate the Daejang-dong case the day before, and Assemblyman Seol Hoon, co-chair of the camp's joint election countermeasures committee, even used the term "Lee Jae-myung Gate" in a statement. Additionally, the Blue House's statement on the 5th that it is "watching the situation seriously" could be painful for Lee. Considering this atmosphere, Lee, who had emphasized "confidence" regarding this issue, also showed unease at a meeting with the Open Democratic Party the day before, saying, "(The prosecution's investigation) feels somewhat unfavorable, but even if it is painful, justice will ultimately prevail."

However, Assemblyman Min Hyung-bae, who serves as the head of the strategy headquarters, said at a briefing that day regarding the former leader's camp's offensive, "Given the characteristics of the Democratic Party, the one-team principle will not be shaken. I am confident it will not be shaken as long as it is not pushed too hard." Assemblyman Jo Jung-sik, the camp's general headquarters chief, also criticized the internal party remarks at a briefing, saying, "The Daejang-dong case is not 'Lee Jae-myung Gate' but the People Power Party Hwacheon Daeyu Gate," and expressed regret over claims representing the People Power Party.

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