Police Complete On-Site Inspection of Lee Nak-yeon Deputy Chief... "No Signs of Homicide"

Under Investigation by Prosecutors Over 'Optimus Suspicion'
Police "Coordinating Whether to Conduct Autopsy"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] It has been confirmed that the police did not find any signs of homicide in the case of Mr. Lee, deputy chief of the office of Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who died while under prosecution investigation over allegations of support for copier rental fees by Optimus Asset Management.

On the 4th, the Seoul Seocho Police Station announced that the on-site investigation of the building near the Seoul Central District Court, where Mr. Lee’s body was found, revealed no signs of homicide. At the scene, Mr. Lee’s mobile phone, wallet, and notebook were found, but no suicide note has been discovered so far. It is reported that before his death, Mr. Lee left a message to his family saying, "I am sorry."

A police official stated, "As a result of the on-site investigation completed the previous day, no signs of homicide were found," and added, "We are currently coordinating with the bereaved family and the prosecution regarding whether to conduct an autopsy."

Earlier, on the 2nd, Mr. Lee appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office and was questioned with his lawyer until around 6:30 p.m. He was scheduled to be questioned again after dinner but disappeared. After receiving a missing person report from Mr. Lee’s family, the police tracked his mobile phone location and found him around 9:15 p.m. the previous day.

Mr. Lee was a close aide who served as a political special advisor during Lee Nak-yeon’s tenure as governor of Jeollanam-do in 2015. Last month, the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission reported two people, including Mr. Lee, to the prosecution for violating the Political Funds Act over allegations that an Optimus-related company paid 760,000 won for the copier rental fee at Lee’s office in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

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