청 "Lime Prosecution Investigation Cooperation... CCTV Exceeded Retention Period" (Summary)

President Moon directs "Active cooperation for quick resolution of suspicions"
Blue House states "Major facility CCTV is usually retained for only 3 months"

President Moon Jae-in is presiding over the senior secretaries and aides meeting at the Blue House on the 12th.

President Moon Jae-in on the 14th stated regarding the Lime and Optimus scandals involving former Blue House officials that "there can be no sanctuary" and instructed, "The Blue House must actively cooperate with the prosecution's investigation to quickly resolve the suspicions." However, the Blue House stated that the CCTV footage from July 2019, which could serve as evidence of meetings between former Blue House officials and those involved in the Lime scandal, no longer exists as the retention period has expired.

Kang Min-seok, the Blue House spokesperson, told reporters that day, "If the prosecution requests access records related to the Lime investigation, the Blue House plans to review and submit them." He added, "However, the CCTV footage requested by the prosecution no longer exists as its retention period has expired." Kang also said, "I am not sure if the July CCTV access records are immediately necessary for the investigation."

A key Blue House official explained, "Regarding CCTV materials, according to management guidelines, major facilities are usually retained for three months, and other facilities for one month."

Additionally, when asked whether there was an internal investigation related to former administrative officer Lee, Kang refrained from commenting, saying, "We cannot provide detailed answers regarding the Blue House's civil affairs."

Earlier, on the 13th, a domestic media report stated that the prosecution had requested the Blue House for access records or related CCTV footage of Lee Kang-se, CEO of Star Mobility and a figure involved in the Lime scandal, in July, but the Blue House reportedly refused. The time when former senior secretary Kang met Lee at the Blue House was about one year and three months ago, on July 28 of last year.

Following the report, spokesperson Kang immediately stated, "Access records of the Blue House are not disclosed externally according to the Public Institutions Information Disclosure Act." However, the stance shifted to cooperating with the prosecution's investigation within a day, reportedly due to President Moon's will.

The names of former Blue House senior secretary Kang Ki-jung and former administrative officer Lee from the civil affairs secretary's office have surfaced in the Optimus and Lime scandals. The Blue House is closely monitoring the prosecution's investigation and public opinion, wary of how far the repercussions of this incident might spread. Although former senior secretary Kang strongly denied allegations of bribery and improper solicitation related to him, there are concerns that if any related circumstances emerge during the investigation, the situation could spiral out of control.

There is also a sense of concern regarding former administrative officer Lee being summoned as a witness for the National Assembly audit. While it could be an opportunity to resolve suspicions, if opposition parties continue their attacks, the controversy and allegations are likely to spread further.

Joo Ho-young, the floor leader, appeared on CBS Radio that day and said, "This case is a power-type corruption gate that could not have happened without protection from power," adding, "Whether it is entrusted to the special investigation team formed by Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol or a special prosecutor is introduced, the public will trust it."

President Moon Jae-in is presiding over the 2nd Korean New Deal Strategy Meeting held at the Blue House on the morning of the 13th.

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Blue House responded to reports that Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga expressed his intention not to attend this year's Korea-China-Japan summit hosted by Korea due to historical issues, stating, "If there is a problem, we should rather try to meet and resolve it." Spokesperson Kang added, "We will continue efforts to hold the Korea-China-Japan trilateral summit."

The Blue House also issued a statement regarding the controversy over a letter President Moon sent to the son of a Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official who was shot and killed by North Korean soldiers in the West Sea.

Spokesperson Kang said, "The opposition parties and some media are raising issues about the fact that the president's reply letter was typed," adding, "I do not understand why this is a subject of controversy." Kang explained, "The president's letters are first handwritten by the president himself. The content written on a memo is then typed by the secretariat and electronically signed." He added, "The same process applies to presidential letters sent to foreign leaders."

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