[경향신문]

People’s Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo speaks at an international meeting on concerns about infringements of the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression in the Republic of Korea, at the National Assembly on September 23. National Assembly press photographers

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On September 27, People’s Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo launched attacks on both the ruling and opposition parties for their involvement in the alleged corruption in connection to Daejang-dong. Ahn pressed the Democratic Party of Korea to undergo an investigation by a special prosecutor and argued that the People Power Party should report its own involvement instead of trying to resolve the problem by cutting it off at the tail. Ahn also suggested gathering a panel of citizens to seek measures against the latest problem, such as the dissolution of real estate cartels.

This day, Ahn held an emergency meeting at the National Assembly and called the alleged favors surrounding Daejang-dong, the “Hwacheon Daeyu Daejang-dong-gate,” and said, “Regardless of party affiliations, politicians, businesspeople, local governments, members of the press, and people in the legal circle have all come together to form a cartel of privileges. This incident was the result of the cartel’s monopoly.” He further pointed out, “It is the largest gift package of real estate corruption, one so huge it makes Choi Soon-sil’s abuse of state authority look like child’s play.”

Ahn attacked Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung and said, “When the flies were busy getting rid of the evidence after a corrupt cartel reeking of decay was exposed, Governor Lee Jae-myung tried to change the story resorting to sophistry, changing his words, and engaging in crab mentality tactics claiming ‘We’re all thieves.’” Ahn also said, “If he cannot present a persuasive explanation to the public as a responsible politician and as a strong presidential candidate of the ruling party, this incident could end up as the abuse of municipal authority that turned out to be a ‘rehearsal’ of the abuse of state authority.”

Ahn also criticized the People Power Party. Ahn said, “The major opposition party is far from innocent in this affair,” and added, “Both the ruling and opposition parties are neglecting the nature of the issue--the exploitation of public interest by a cartel involved in real estate corruption--and trying to start a mud fight, blaming each other.”

Ahn addressed Democratic Party of Korea leader Song Young-gil and said, “I urge him to accept the demands for a special prosecutor.” He argued that if the incident was a matter of corruption by the People Power Party, then there was no reason to refuse the special prosecutor. Ahn told the major opposition to show that the party was indeed sincere about placing a new government in office and argued, “The opposition party should thoroughly investigate itself and be the first to come clean before the people and voluntarily file reports on any irregularities.” He also said, “Regardless of one’s status, the party should be willing to make a costly sacrifice for justice and take the strongest actions, expelling or removing the responsible parties.” He said, “If a lawmaker is involved, the least he could do for the people is to let go of his status as a lawmaker and cooperate in the investigation.”

Ahn suggested gathering a panel of citizens to seek a social consensus on dissolving the real estate cartel. He said, “The People’s Party and I will take the latest incident as an opportunity to do our utmost to enact legislation and establish policies preventing any behavior that tries to take advantage of power as a means to gain wealth.”

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