Lee Jae-myung "US Eavesdropping Controversy, Official Apology and Joint Investigation Request Should Be Considered"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, called for a strong response to the controversy over the CIA's alleged eavesdropping on the South Korean presidential office, stating, "As an equal sovereign nation, we must boldly demand a thorough investigation and receive an official apology from the U.S. government." He also said that a joint investigation request to the U.S. should be considered.

On the 14th, Lee made these remarks at the party's Supreme Council meeting, saying, "This is not the time to just watch the U.S.'s reactions."

He added, "With a servile attitude, we cannot protect our sovereignty or national interests," and criticized, "The government is trying to cover up the presidential office eavesdropping allegations with baseless claims and sophistry. How else could American media report that 'the South Korean president is downplaying the incident'?"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 14th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

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He stated, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration must no longer make South Korea look shabby," and pledged, "For the sake of a strong Korea-U.S. alliance, I will do my utmost to ensure a thorough investigation at the National Assembly level."

Supreme Council member Jung Cheong-rae also said at the meeting, "Lies will inevitably be exposed," and added, "Biden expressed concern not about the leaked documents themselves but about the fact that a leak occurred, thereby tacitly acknowledging the content of the leak through silence and focusing on the security breach."

He went on to demand the dismissal of Kim Tae-hyo, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, calling him "an inappropriate person to hold public office" and criticized, "The state of the country has become truly ridiculous."

Spokesperson Kang Seon-woo explained at a back briefing immediately after the meeting, "There was discussion about whether President Yoon should take at least four measures before going to the U.S. regarding the illegal eavesdropping allegations." The Democratic Party mentioned ▲demanding an apology and a promise to prevent recurrence ▲a complete restructuring of the presidential office's eavesdropping prevention system ▲holding Kim Tae-hyo accountable ▲and a direct explanation from President Yoon.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested Private Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old member of the Air National Guard intelligence unit at an Air Force base, who leaked classified U.S. government documents. Teixeira leaked the documents while showing off to members that he was handling classified materials.

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