Kang Hoon-sik: "The 'Lee Jae-myung Gate' in Kim Man-bae's Recording Means Guarding at the Entrance"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Kang Hoon-sik, head of the Strategic Planning Headquarters of the Democratic Party's Election Countermeasures Committee, said on the 22nd regarding the so-called 'Lee Jae-myung Gate' mentioned in the recordings of Kim Man-bae, the major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu involved in the Daejang-dong development, and accountant Jeong Young-hak, "It seems to be a gate in the sense of guarding the entrance."

On the morning of the same day, Kang made this remark on CBS Radio when asked by the host what he thought the substance of the term 'Lee Jae-myung Gate' in the recordings of Kim and accountant Jeong was.

He said, "Since I do not know the full details, it is not appropriate for me to comment," but added, "I understand it as a story implying 'things are not going well because of Lee Jae-myung.'"

When the host pointed out, "In the recordings, Kim said not 'because of Lee Jae-myung' but 'because of Lee Jae-myung Gate,'" Kang replied, "So it seems to be a gate in the sense of guarding the entrance."

The term 'Lee Jae-myung Gate' is interpreted not as the candidate leading corruption suspicions involving politicians, officials, and businessmen, but as meaning that the candidate is guarding the entrance and acting as a 'gatekeeper' who supervises and inspects, which is why things are not going well.

Kang explained that regarding Lee's mention of South Korea's 'possibility of joining the key currency countries' during the first legal TV debate hosted by the Central Election Commission the previous day, "It was based on a report from the Federation of Korean Industries," and added, "Since the candidate is well aware of the content, there will be interesting room for further debate."

However, he avoided directly answering the question, "Do you think there is a high possibility that the Korean won will become a key currency like the dollar?"

He cited the most memorable TV debate moment as when People's Party candidate Ahn Cheol-soo shook his head disapprovingly at People Power Party candidate Yoon Seok-youl, who was arguing about the 'digital data economy,' and pointed out, "The general public's view of candidate Yoon is probably very similar."

Regarding candidate Ahn, who withdrew his proposal for opposition unity, Kang expressed a friendly attitude like other Democratic Party lawmakers, saying, "I hope he will consider our opinion on a national unity government."

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