Backlash is spreading in political circles over the so-called "indictment withdrawal deal" controversy involving President Lee Jae-myung, with Rep. Kim Young-jin of the Democratic Party of Korea—a core member of the pro-Lee faction—denouncing the claims as "distortion that doesn't even qualify as third-rate fiction."
Appearing on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" on the 12th, Rep. Kim said the allegations were "not even misreporting, but distortion." He repeatedly criticized Jang In-soo, a former MBC reporter who raised the allegations, saying Jang "insulted the Democratic Party, government officials, and President Lee with content that doesn't even rise to the level of third-rate creative fiction."
Explaining his characterization of the claims as "distortion rather than misreporting," Kim said, "Simply put, it's because it's not true. I believe these were false and fabricated statements made to appear as if they were fact."
Referring to Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho, who was cited as the source of the allegations, Kim said, "Would anyone but a fool send text messages ordering an indictment withdrawal deal? The very notion that this was sent via text message makes no sense."
When asked about the party's response measures, Kim raised his voice: "The Democratic Police Station [the party's anti-fake news unit] must clearly request corrections, and if that doesn't proceed, we should file complaints—applying consistent principles. We need an official response."
Rep. Han Jun-ho, another pro-Lee lawmaker, also criticized the claims on YTN Radio's "Jang Seong-cheol's News Myeongdang," saying, "Making people speculate without clear content is not something someone calling themselves a journalist should do. He broadcast it but couldn't prove it. That makes it false information."
Han added, "The fact that he can confidently spread information he heard from somewhere under the guise of being a 'one-person journalist' [not affiliated with a media organization] is itself problematic. Isn't he just claiming on his own that 'the facts are clear'?"
Regarding the purpose behind raising such allegations, Han said, "I suspect it's either to attract attention by showing 'I know these things,' or to frame the Democratic Party or the government. I also think it might be an attack on groups like the 'Indictment Withdrawal Group' [a key pro-Lee gathering within the party]."
Han also urged an official party response: "Despite this being very serious defamation and false information spread about the President, I want to ask why the party is responding so tepidly. The party must clearly state its position today."
