“Rep. Lee Bringing in Money from No Source”

The truth about the 4.5 billion won of operating costs of the Central Party in 2003: The Democratic Party has also expressed suspicion over the origin of the 4.5 billion won that Representative Lee has brought into the party right after the presidential election apart from this.

Chairman Noh has said, “Even though the officials have been concerned about the party funds, Representative Lee has not accepted this and provided the 4.5 billion won out of the blue for the expenses of running the party without revealing where it came from.”

The 4.5 billion won could not be the party income but could be the remaining presidential election funds or congratulatory money for being elected, according to some suspicion.

The Uri Party insisted about the issue, “The receipt for the 4.5 billion won still remains within the Democratic Party.” Team Director Kim, Hong-sup reacted, “Since the operating cost is about 2 billion won every month, we urgently asked the supporters’ association for 4.5 billion won. The representative had raised 18 billion won when he was Secretary General at the Democratic Party after the presidential election to stabilize the party, and we cannot understand the suspicion over his usurpation.”

Meanwhile, some in the Democratic Party commented to the disclosure by Chairman Noh saying, “There is a problem related to the unfixed amount receipt of the supporters’ association’s Jeju Branch, but we do not think that the accounting related to the 1.28 billion won is fake” suggesting a quiet turmoil ahead. A related official, who was responsible for the financing during the election, refuted saying, “The 4.5 billion won that some insist to be from no specific origin came, for several times, as support funds to the Central Party from city and provincial branches of the supporters’ association in Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon, etc. We also have proof and the dates.”

Seung-Heon Lee Ho-Won Choi ddr@donga.com bestiger@donga.com