"If Prosecutor Investigation Is Inadequate, Conditional Acceptance..." Lee's Conditional Acceptance of Daejangdong Special Prosecutor

Attended Kwanhun Club Debate Today
Actively Clarifies Personal Responsibility
Urges Special Investigation to Uncover Truth on Excess Profits and Corruption

Allegations of Inadequate Investigation into Busan Savings Bank During Yoon Seok-yeol's Prosecutor Days
Opposition's Responsibility Raised Over Gwak Sang-do's Son Receiving 5 Billion Won, 'Counterattack' Strategy

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon and Jeon Jin-young] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, expressed that he does not oppose the introduction of a special prosecutor (special investigation) regarding the Daejang-dong development preferential treatment allegations. However, he added the condition that this would apply only if the ongoing prosecution investigation proves insufficient. The opposition party is demanding the immediate introduction of a special prosecutor.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee appeared at the Kwanhun Club debate held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, in the morning and said, "If there are insufficient parts in the Daejang-dong preferential treatment allegations, a special prosecutor is also necessary." While actively explaining his responsibility regarding the Daejang-dong development preferential treatment allegations, he expressed his intention to thoroughly investigate the issues of excess profit distribution and corruption through a special prosecutor if necessary, showing a stance of direct confrontation.

He explained, "There is a demand to appoint a special prosecutor regarding the prosecution's investigation related to Hwacheon Daeyu or the Daejang-dong development, and I know many people agree with this. We will observe the prosecution's investigation, but if there are insufficient points or remaining doubts, a special prosecutor format or a perfect fact-finding and strict accountability is necessary."

However, Lee countered by saying that the allegations of a lax investigation into the Busan Savings Bank related to the initial funding of Daejang-dong during Yoon Seok-youl's time as a prosecutor must also be thoroughly investigated. He also stated that a special prosecutor is equally necessary regarding the 5 billion KRW received by the son of former People Power Party lawmaker Kwak Sang-do and the People Power Party's breach of trust by blocking Seongnam City's attempts at public development with a majority of seats. Lee’s intention is that if a special prosecutor is to be appointed for the preferential treatment allegations surrounding him, the parts involving Yoon and other opposition figures should also be revealed with the same standard.

At the same time, Lee actively emphasized that the People Power Party bears significant responsibility for the Daejang-dong allegations. He stressed, "Instead of questioning why excess profit distribution was not done, we should look at the actual performance in total amount."

Regarding his relationship with Yoo Dong-gyu, former Planning Director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, he explained, "He is a close person, but not a key figure." Lee said, "If he had been a truly key important figure, I would have appointed him as president." Regarding the controversy over Yoo’s lack of qualifications, Lee admitted, "There were subordinates tainted by corruption and bribery, which is my shortcoming and regret." He bowed his head and said, "I apologize. I will strive to take this as a lesson for the future." Lee devoted an hour to explaining the Daejang-dong allegations at the Kwanhun debate and continued to actively clarify issues such as the allegations of lawyer fee payments afterward.

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