'Lee Jae-yong Propofol Allegation'... Prosecution's Investigation Deliberation Committee Begins

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[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] The Prosecution Investigation Deliberation Committee regarding the allegations of illegal propofol use by Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong was held on the afternoon of the 26th.

According to legal circles, the Prosecution Investigation Deliberation Committee began around 3 p.m. at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office building. The committee members and Vice Chairman Lee's legal representatives entered the building around 2 p.m., one hour before the meeting.

Earlier, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Citizen Committee had submitted a request for convening the investigation deliberation committee regarding Vice Chairman Lee's allegations to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the 11th. The committee is established at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office according to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Regulation No. 967, "Guidelines for the Operation of the Prosecution Investigation Deliberation Committee," and discusses whether to file charges or dismiss the case in incidents that raise public suspicion or attract social attention.

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office receives recommendations of 150 to 250 candidates from various social sectors including legal, academic, media, civic groups, and cultural and artistic fields, then selects 15 members of the investigation deliberation committee by random draw. The committee can deliberate on a case only when at least 10 members, excluding the chairperson, are present.

This case began when a public interest report was filed with the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission alleging that Vice Chairman Lee habitually used propofol at a plastic surgery clinic in Gangnam. In January of last year, the Commission forwarded the public interest report and a request for investigation to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, and the case was assigned to the Violent Crimes Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

Currently, Vice Chairman Lee's side denies the allegations, stating, "He received treatment in the past based on the professional opinion of doctors at hospitals, and illegal administration is not true."

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