Sim Sang-jung Criticizes Lee, "Don't You Remember Appointing Yoo Dong-gyu? Then Why Do You Feel Betrayed?"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] On the afternoon of the 20th, Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, continued to ask piercing questions toward Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate (current Governor of Gyeonggi Province), at the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee. During the morning session of the National Assembly audit, Sim quoted a citizen's remark, "'The one who received the money is the culprit, but the one who designed it is the sinner,'" and launched a barrage of questions. In the afternoon session, she pressed Lee again by confirming the appointment of former Seongnam Urban Development Corporation Director Yoo Dong-gyu.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

When Sim asked, "Is it true that you appointed Yoo Dong-gyu?" Lee replied, "I don't remember whether I had the authority or who had the authority to appoint the director."

Sim then criticized, saying, "Can you take responsibility?" and called it "cowardly."

She continued, "You said you felt betrayed by Director Yoo. Then, what is the reason for feeling betrayed?"

Earlier, on the 18th, regarding the Daejang-dong scandal, Lee said, "I deeply apologize as the person with personnel authority for the suspicion that some related public officials were corrupted and colluded with private business operators." Regarding Director Yoo, who is currently under detention, he said, "I still find it hard to believe, but since the national agency investigated and the court even ordered detention due to a high possibility of collusion, there must be something wrong." He added, "It is truly regrettable, and personally, I feel betrayed."

Sim pointed out, "Elected officials exercise their authority through personnel rights. It is no different from handing over the personnel authority granted by citizens to speculative forces. Can you just pass over responsibility by saying you 'feel betrayed'?" She added, "Then the people will not entrust you with greater personnel authority," and emphasized, "You must respond according to political responsibility."

Lee responded, "I take the criticism painfully," and said, "I feel responsible as the person with personnel authority. I have apologized before, but I say again that I apologize."

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