Grand National Party Keeps Close Watch on Gyeonggi Province Prosecution Investigation

The Grand National Party on the 4th kept close watch on developments in the prosecution's investigation into development corruption in the Opo-eup apartment project in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province.

This is because it is impossible to rule out the possibility that Governor Son Hak-kyu (孫鶴圭), one of the 'Big 3' leading presidential candidates within the party, could be damaged, as Han Hyun-kyu, a close aide of the governor and a former director of the Gyeonggi Development Institute who ran as a Grand National Party candidate in last year's general election, has been confirmed to have accepted bribes.

Particularly following the arrest in May of Yang Yun-jae, former second vice mayor of Seoul and a close aide of Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak (李明博), on charges of development corruption around the Cheonggyecheon area, aides of leading presidential candidates from the party are becoming embroiled in scandals, leaving the Grand National Party in an awkward position.

Within the party, while the prevailing argument is that these cases are merely individual misconduct of aides unrelated to the presidential candidates themselves, some are pointing out that only aides in the opposition presidential candidate camps are having their misconduct exposed, and suspicions of prosecutorial 'targeted investigation' are also being raised.

One party official in this regard suggested skepticism about the possibility of prosecutorial targeted investigation, saying, "That's why opposition candidates should always be careful."

Governor Son's camp is concerned about the negative impact on future intra-party presidential competition, given that this case could damage to some degree the reform and integrity image that Governor Son has been emphasizing as his strengths.

Additionally, there is worry that his reputation as a 'CEO-style leader,' which he has painstakingly built through fiercely confronting Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan (李海瓚) over capital region deregulation measures in May, leading to deregulation of foreign company investments and promoting Gyeonggi Province development through large-scale foreign capital investment, may fade.

Meanwhile, as rumors circulate among prosecution sources that the case will not end with the arrest of former Director Han, observations and forecasts within the Grand National Party are divided over which direction the prosecution's blade is ultimately aimed at.

Im Tae-hee (任太熙), floor leader deputy of Gyeonggi Province origin, said, "It's difficult to comment on an ongoing investigation, but it is speculation to link former Director Han's misconduct to Governor Son," dismissing the connection.

However, another legislator said, "It is difficult to view this investigation as intentionally targeting the 'Big 3' (Grand National Party presidential candidates)," while also saying "it may not be an overreaching investigation," suggesting the possibility that the investigation could expand.

In light of this case, there are also observations within the party that presidential hopefuls should pay more attention to managing their aides.

In the case of Representative Park Geun-hye (朴槿惠), she is known not to engage in aide-centered politics, but her only special advisor Hwang In-tae, vice president of Seoul Digital University, was arrested in June on charges of embezzlement of school funds, and Mayor Lee, whose stock has risen significantly due to the 'Cheonggyecheon effect,' continues to be a burden following the recent sentencing of former Vice Mayor Yang. <Yonhapnews>