PPP strikes back at DPK over expressway project
Rep. Yun Jae-ok, right, the floor leader of the ruling People Power Party, speaks during a party meeting in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
The ruling People Power Party (PPP) struck back at the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) on Monday over a now-scrapped expressway construction project by raising fresh allegations that a DPK member would benefit if the project goes ahead as originally planned.
The Seoul-Yangpyeong expressway project has emerged one of the biggest political issues after the DPK alleged that its route was changed to give financial benefits to the family of first lady Kim Keon Hee because the new endpoint of the highway is near where Kim's family owns land.
Land Minister Won Hee-ryong rejected the allegations and scrapped the project altogether.
On Monday, the PPP cited a news report that Jeong Dong-gyun, a former governor of Yangpyeong and a DPK member, and his family own land close to the endpoint of the expressway under the original construction plan.
"rather than raising allegations of favors involving first lady Kim Keon Hee's family, the DPK should first investigate self-favoritism allegations involving a former Yangpyeong governor," Rep. Yun Jae-ok, the floor leader of the PPP, said during a party meeting.
Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during a party meeting in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
The DPK stepped up attacks, labeling the allegations as "Kim Keon Hee road gate."
"This is a classic corruption case involving the relatives of the president and literally is the manipulation of state affairs," DPK leader Lee Jae-myung said during a party meeting.
Furthermore, the DPK hinted at the possibility of pushing for a special prosecutor investigation or conducting a parliamentary inspection into the allegations.
The DPK also called for Land Minister Won to step down from his position for scrapping the project abruptly without sufficient justification. (Yonhap)