"I think it's unfair"... Park Ji-hyun directly criticizes the 'Lee Jae-myung resignation theory'

"Stayed silent when loving criticism was needed, but led division as prosecution investigation began"
"Lee Jae-myung should confidently respond to prosecution summons"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Park Ji-hyun, former emergency committee member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on the 23rd, "I believe there is no possibility that dust will come out even if we dig into Representative Lee Jae-myung." While emphasizing the need for party unity, Park expressed that the judicial risks faced by Representative Lee should be handled by Lee personally. Regarding the prosecution's summons of Lee over the Seongnam FC sponsorship allegations, Park also stated that he should "respond confidently."

On the same day, Park appeared on KBS's Choi Kang Sisa and said, "(The prosecution) kept investigating Daejang-dong but suddenly called him over the Seongnam FC case, which is a bit strange," adding, "Now that the Daejang-dong story isn't selling, they seem to be riding the World Cup wave. I wondered why they suddenly changed the subject to Seongnam FC." He said, "(Representative Lee) has been under prosecution investigation for a long time, so I think he manages himself thoroughly," and added, "The prosecution is trying to find any fault and keep digging to find a crime, continuously trying to damage his reputation."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding calls for Representative Lee's resignation amid judicial risks, Park said, "I think it's disgraceful," and added, "They stayed silent until the prosecution summoned his close aides, then raised the pressure for him to step down. Yet, when constructive criticism born out of affection is needed, some remain silent and even lead division when the party should unite. Now is the time to unite and resist ruling party oppression and fight for the people's livelihood."

However, concerning the response to the prosecution's investigation, Park expressed that Lee should comply with the summons. Park said, "When Lee became party leader in September, the prosecution summoned him over false information disclosure, and the party held a meeting deciding not to attend. At that time, I said we should confidently cooperate with the investigation and clear the suspicions," adding, "I think the same applies now; I believe he should confidently appear before the prosecution." He also said, "This is a way to highlight the unfairness toward ruling party figures like First Lady Kim Keon-hee."

Regarding the judicial risks, Park said, "Judicial risks are overshadowing everything," and added, "Therefore, Representative Lee should personally handle them, and the party should focus entirely on the people's livelihood."

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