On the 27th, the Democratic Party of Korea launched a 'Political Prosecutor Manipulation Indictment Fact-Finding Task Force (TF)' in relation to President Lee Jae-myung's North Korean remittance suspicion case, appointing Han Jun-ho as Director General and Kim Yong-min and Choi Gi-sang as deputy directors. The party asserted, 'The prosecutors should re-investigate their manipulation of the investigation.' The People Power Party criticized it as 'a fabrication of the investigation.'
Kim Seong-hwa, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, met with reporters after the party's Supreme Council meeting that morning and said, 'The establishment of the Political Prosecutor Manipulation Indictment Response TF has been reported,' adding, 'We formed the TF to prevent indictments utilizing the fabricated frame of the People Power Party and to enhance timely responses.' Commissioners include Lee Geon-tae, Kim Gi-pyo, Park Seon-won, and Yang Boo-nam, with Lee Geon-tae serving as the spokesperson for the TF.
Earlier, Kim Byung-ki, the acting party leader and floor leader, mentioned comments made by Baek Sang-yun, chairman of KH Group, in a media interview during the Supreme Council meeting, characterizing the North Korean remittance suspicion as 'a political prosecutor's conspiracy to kill Lee Jae-myung.'
He added, 'This is evidence that the political prosecutors have manipulated a non-existent crime to torment this president for years,' asserting, 'The political prosecutor's manipulation of the North Korean remittance suspicion case that deceived the public and mocked justice should be thoroughly investigated.’
He also announced the launch of the 'Political Prosecutor Manipulation Indictment Fact-Finding TF,' emphasizing, 'We will investigate thoroughly and uphold justice to the end.'
The People Power Party strongly condemned, calling it 'fabrication.' Song Eon-seok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, pointed out the ruling party's TF launch, stating, 'They have begun to insist that the illegal North Korean remittance case involving President Lee Jae-myung is a fabricated investigation.'
He said, 'The Democratic Party has criticized Kim Seong-tae, chairman of SSANGBANGWOOL, who has consistently testified that the remittance was made for Lee Jae-myung’s visit to North Korea, as being unreliable because he is gang-related. Yet they are basing their claim that the North Korean remittance case is a fabricated investigation on a single sentence from Baek Sang-yun, who is also gang-related and currently evading prosecution overseas.'
In an interview with SBS that was reported earlier on the 24th, Baek stated regarding the North Korean remittance, 'How can Gyeonggi Province be involved in secretly giving money to (North Korea)? This is entirely unrelated to Governor Lee Jae-myung and Gyeonggi Province.' He also suggested that his agreement with Kim Seong-tae of SSANGBANGWOOL to work with North Korea was pursued in secrecy for business benefits, unrelated to Gyeonggi Province.
The North Korean remittance suspicion case involves the 5 million dollars in support for a smart farm project promised by Gyeonggi Province to North Korea in 2019, and the 3 million dollars for the visit of then-Governor Lee to North Korea, which was paid for by SSANGBANGWOOL to a North Korean official. Related to this, President Lee was indicted last June and is currently undergoing a first trial at Suwon District Court.