"Political Prosecution Awards Me for Calling for 'Prosecution Reform' - Lee Jong-gul Criticizes Fast-Track Indictment"

Lee Jong-gul, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Heo Midam] Lee Jong-geol, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who was indicted in connection with the National Assembly Fast Track (rapid processing agenda) incident, criticized the prosecution, saying he was "indicted by political prosecutors."

On the 2nd, Lee posted on his Facebook that regarding the charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes, he said, "I will regard this as the third medal given by political prosecutors in recognition of my persistent efforts for prosecutorial reform since the inauguration of the Moon Jae-in administration."

He stated, "The so-called 'joint confinement of the NIS female employee' case, which political prosecutors forcibly indicted in 2012 in collusion with the National Intelligence Service, was revealed to be a case of 'systematic comment manipulation and deletion of criminal evidence by NIS employees,'" and added, "I was acquitted."

He continued, "In 2013, there was the 'late Jang Ja-yeon honor protection case,' in which political prosecutors forcibly indicted me while being cautious of a major media company," and said, "The media company involved withdrew the criminal case after seeing the results of the civil trial."

Lee stated that this is the third indictment following the 2012 'NIS female employee joint confinement case' and the 2014 late Jang Ja-yeon 'honor protection case,' and said, "If the first was a case influenced by the NIS, and the second was influenced by a major media company, the third is a case influenced by the Prosecutor General and the prosecution leadership. I will confidently be acquitted this time as well."

Regarding the prosecution's announcement of the 'Fast Track-related complaints and accusations case,' he pointed out, "It shows how deliberately distorted the frame is, pretending to be neutral."

He emphasized, "The accurate name of this case is the 'complaints and accusations case related to the obstruction of the National Assembly meeting by the Liberty Korea Party.'

Lee said, "Formally, various complaints and accusations are intertwined, but the essence is that the perpetrator filed counter-complaints to avoid any guilt," and criticized, "The prosecution named the case in favor of the Liberty Korea Party, which became their ally in prosecutorial reform."

He added, "I will face the trial confidently whether indicted or not, be acquitted, and hold the prosecution legally responsible."

Earlier on the 2nd, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office indicted 10 Democratic Party of Korea officials including Lee Jong-geol and 27 Liberty Korea Party officials including leader Hwang Kyo-ahn without detention on charges of obstructing the receipt of bills and meetings in the National Assembly during the Fast Track process in April last year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.