On the 1st, the People Power Party and the Reform Party stated that they cannot entrust Korea's diplomacy to a party that makes ‘fraud’ and ‘lies’ in relation to reports that global investor Jim Rogers, chairman of Rogers Holdings, has never declared support for presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea.
The People Power Party's Central Election Committee's Citizens Siren Center also stated through a media notice that ‘the support declaration from Jim Rogers is fake, and the Democratic Party's ‘fraud’ is unending,’ saying, ‘the Democratic Party continues to eat away at international society’s trust with endless lies and fraud regarding diplomacy and international issues.’
Earlier, on May 29, Lee Jae-gang, co-head of the Democratic Party of Korea's Central Election Countermeasures Committee's International Cooperation Division, held a press conference at the National Assembly and announced that Chairman Rogers had supported candidate Lee Jae-myung. According to claims from Lee's side at the time, Chairman Rogers stated through a letter of support, ‘I support candidate Lee Jae-myung for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula,’ and ‘I believe Lee Jae-myung can be a leader who realizes peace not only for Korea but for the entire world.’
In response, candidate Lee Jae-myung also wrote on Facebook the next day, May 30, ‘I heard the support declaration from Jim Rogers,’ adding, ‘Jim Rogers said we should invest in peace, invest in the future, and therefore invest in Korea.’
However, on that day, a media outlet reported that Chairman Rogers said he was completely unaware of any support declaration related to candidate Lee Jae-myung, describing it as ‘complete fraud.’ The media also stated that Kim Jin-hyang, former chairman of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, received the letter from Professor Song Kyung-ho of Pyongyang University of Science and Technology, who was close to Chairman Rogers. It pointed out that the Democratic Party of Korea did not verify the facts with Chairman Rogers.
In response, the People Power Party remarked, ‘What on earth is the Democratic Party planning to drop our national dignity to?’ adding, ‘the Democratic Party still continues to eat away at international society’s trust with endless lies and fraud regarding diplomacy and international issues.’
The People Power Party also stated, ‘Can those who use diplomacy and international issues for domestic politics and attempt to deceive the public be called a public party of Korea?’ and added, ‘Wise citizens will not be fooled by the Democratic Party and Lee Jae-myung’s “fraud.”’
Additionally, Shin Na-ri, spokesperson for the People Power Party's Central Election Committee, stated in a commentary that ‘the Lee Jae-myung candidate's election committee’s attempt to disseminate false information through an official press conference and use it for public opinion is a serious political problem that distorts the public's correct judgment and undermines the foundation of fair elections.’
He continued, ‘Candidate Lee Jae-myung has repeatedly been involved in legal disputes and various allegations, damaging public trust himself,’ adding, ‘the unauthorized use of the name of a trusted international figure in this incident seriously undermines Korea’s national dignity and could raise doubts about the trustworthiness and transparency of Korean politics in the international community.’
Kim Yong-tae, co-chair of the election countermeasures committee, stated on the same day, ‘How is this different from investment fraud using the names of celebrities?’ and added, ‘If you think that the “fraud” can be hidden by hastily making the video of the press conference with Jim Rogers private, it is a big misunderstanding.’
On the same day, Moon Seong-ho, spokesperson for the Reform Party, issued a statement saying, ‘Lee Jae-myung, who even sold the name of Jim Rogers, cannot be entrusted with Korea's diplomacy to a fake candidate who deceives the world with lies,’ and added, ‘In Korea, even if Lee Jae-myung fabricates, he may dare not be verified, but abroad, lies like this will inevitably be exposed.’
Moreover, the spokesperson stated, ‘As confirmed today, Lee Jae-myung’s diplomacy will only end up in embarrassment for trying to play tricks with incitement and fabrication.’