People Power Party Leader Chang Dong-hyeok has raised suspicions regarding a drinking party involving former Cheong Wa Dae Policy Chief Kim Yong-beom, labeling the situation the "ETF Gate of the Lee Jae-myung administration."

Leader Chang held a press conference at the National Assembly this morning (September 2) to explain the necessity of an independent counsel investigation into ETFs.

"Public damages resulting from single-stock leveraged ETFs have reached 54 trillion won," Chang pointed out, adding, "Retail investors who jumped into debt-financed stock investments are shedding tears of blood."

He continued, "Securities firms have pocketed sharply increased commissions," claiming that "former Chief Kim and related figures plundered public assets to fatten the bellies of securities firms."

He also took issue with the fact that the sons of former Chief Kim and Financial Supervisory Service Governor Lee Chan-jin are employed at Mirae Asset Securities.

"Suspicions have even been raised that Mirae Asset Chairman Park Hyun-ju met with former Policy Chief Kim at the Four Seasons Hotel and held a drinking party," Chang said, noting that "Chairman Park is the co-chair of the 150 trillion won Future Growth Fund created by this administration."

He added, "There are also suspicions that former Chief Kim's sudden resignation was because he was caught leaving a trail of Mirae Asset's lobbying," and stated, "If the reason former Chief Kim pushed for single-stock leveraged ETFs was the result of Mirae Asset's lobbying, this is not a matter that can end simply with his resignation."

"This is truly the 'Lee Jae-myung administration ETF Gate,' the truth of which must be uncovered through an investigation," Chang claimed, asserting that "former Chief Kim could not have caused such a massive incident all by himself."

Emphasizing that "rumors of former Chief Kim fleeing the country are also circulating, and an independent counsel is the only answer," Chang warned, "If former Chief Kim flees overseas, it will in itself be an admission of his crimes," arguing that "it would amount to admitting that stock prices were manipulated through lobbying."

(Photo: Yonhap News)