Lee Jae-myung: "It Seems Kim Geon-hee's Photo Was Lit... Sue Me Too"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said regarding Jang Kyung-tae, a Supreme Council member who was sent to the prosecution after raising suspicions of 'poverty porn' about a photo of a child with heart disease taken during Kim Geon-hee's visit to Phnom Penh, Cambodia last year, "I also think it was lighting, so I hope I get sued too."

On the morning of the 26th, at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, Lee said, "Even to the naked eye and logically, it seems that lighting was used. It looks like lighting was used."

Earlier, in November last year, Supreme Council member Jang raised suspicions about Kim's photo, saying it was a 'concept shoot using at least two to three lights.' The Presidential Office filed a complaint against Jang for spreading false information. After reviewing the photos and videos, the police concluded that no lighting was used during the shoot and on the 24th sent Jang to the prosecution without detention on charges of defamation.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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In his opening remarks that day, Supreme Council member Jang introduced a video about the lighting controversy involving Kim, saying, "Even though shadows flicker like this, the Presidential Office said 'there was no lighting' and sued me," and argued, "The core issue is the value judgment of 'poverty porn,' so whether lighting was used or not cannot be defamation."

Jang also protested the police investigation, saying, "I strongly protest the police investigation that decided to send the case without objective data and evidence," and added, "I have consistently cited expert opinions and requested materials for judgment. It would be fine to disclose objective data."

In response, Lee said, "It is outrageous that Supreme Council member Jang was sued just for raising a proper issue, but it is even harder to understand that he was sent to prosecution with an indictment opinion due to the police's sloppy investigation," and requested to play the video again. When Jang said, "It is an effect that cannot be seen as a light bulb without lighting," Lee agreed, saying, "It is certain. Experts will judge well."

On the same day, regarding the suspicion that the Presidential Office edited President Yoon Seok-youl's recorded remarks in his Washington Post (WP) interview during his visit to the U.S., Lee criticized, "It is a serious criminal act to record false information in official government documents," and said, "This issue goes beyond a simple lie and is an organized criminal act by a government agency."

He added, "I think a fact-finding investigation should be conducted on this issue in the future, and legal action is definitely necessary."

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