Investigation Targets for 'Yonggu Lee Allegations' Police Officers Greatly Expanded... Uncertain Plans to Secure Mobile Phones

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] It has been confirmed that the police, who are conducting a fact-finding investigation into the alleged concealment of black box footage by the investigator in charge related to the assault incident involving Deputy Minister of Justice Lee Yong-gu and a taxi driver, have significantly expanded the scope of their investigation. However, they remained tight-lipped about whether they will investigate the deputy minister’s mobile phone.

On the 15th, Jang Ha-yeon, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated at a press briefing, "A total of 42 people from the Seocho Police Station and Seoul Police are currently under investigation," adding, "Forensic analysis is underway on mobile phones and office PCs of the subjects."

Previously, the fact-finding team announced that they would investigate eight people, including the investigator in charge, the Seocho Police Station chief, managers, and team leaders. Regarding this, Commissioner Jang explained, "The number increased as we are comprehensively and holistically verifying not only the investigation line but also the traffic division and the community policing safety line related to the initial occurrence of the incident."

However, when asked about plans to investigate the deputy minister’s mobile phone, he avoided a direct answer, saying, "It is difficult to respond as this is an ongoing case." Commissioner Jang reiterated his commitment to conducting the investigation thoroughly without any suspicion, stating, "We are trying to proceed as quickly as possible within the scope of what we can do."

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that the investigation into Democratic Party lawmaker Nam In-soon and former Korea Women’s Associations United executive director Kim Young-soon, who were accused of defaming the victim in the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon’s sexual harassment case, has reached the stage of questioning the accusers. The police plan to review materials in cooperation with the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors’ Office, which initially investigated the leak of the former mayor’s accusation.

The civic group Halbindan’s accusation against former Justice Party leader Kim Jong-cheol for sexually harassing Justice Party lawmaker Jang Hye-young has also reached the stage of questioning the accuser. However, since lawmaker Jang previously expressed that she does not wish for punishment, it is uncertain whether the case will proceed to an actual investigation. It is reported that lawmaker Jang maintains her original stance.

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