SEOUL, Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung reiterated his criticism of the prosecution Monday after he was indicted last week on charges of involvement in an unauthorized transfer of US$8 million to North Korea, saying the allegations "defy common sense." Lee is accused of asking underwear maker Ssangbangwool Group to illegally transfer $8 million to North Korea between 2019 and 2020, when he was serving as governor of Gyeonggi Province, through then Vice Gov. Lee Hwa-young to facilitate his planned visit to Pyongyang, according to the Suwon District Prosecutors Office. In return, Lee allegedly promised the Gyeonggi provincial government's support and guarantee for Ssangbangwool's business in North Korea. "Who would not know that giving North Korea billions of dollars in cash is a violation of U.N. sanctions," Lee of the main opposition Democratic Party said during a meeting of the party's leadership. He said it "makes no sense" that then Vice Gov. Lee, who previously served as a special envoy for North Kore a, would make such a promise to the North unless he is "stupid or out of his mind." "Evidence aside, the prosecution is making a claim that defies common sense that every schoolboy knows," he said. On Wednesday, Lee was charged with third-party bribery and violating the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act and the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act. Speaking to reporters after the indictment, he called the press the prosecution's "pet dog" for taking in information from the prosecution without any discretion and "distorting the facts." Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the ruling People Power Party, criticized Lee's remarks Monday, saying they were comments that "should never come from the mouth of the leader of the main party." The latest indictment increases to four the number of court trials Lee faces, including those over alleged development project-related bribery, election law violations and perjury. Source: Yonhap News Agency
Menu
Menu