Police "Analysis and Verification of 7,000 Call Records Related to Lee Yong-gu in Final Stages"

Namyang Dairy Under Investigation of Over 10 People Amid Bulgari Controversy
Traffic Enforcement Up 15% Since 'Safe Speed 5030' Implementation

Jang Ha-yeon, Chief of Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Lee Yong-gu, Vice Minister of Justice, was summoned to the prosecution last weekend for investigation regarding the 'taxi driver assault case,' while the police are accelerating the final analysis of call records to clarify suspicions of inadequate investigation.

Jang Ha-yeon, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated at a press briefing on the 24th, "We have secured all necessary call records from all related parties, including communication contents and the investigation team's schedule and reporting lines at the time," adding, "There are about 7,000 cases, and the analysis and verification are in the final stages."

It is known that Vice Minister Lee grabbed the collar of a taxi driver who was trying to wake him up while he was intoxicated in front of his apartment in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on November 6 last year. At that time, the taxi driver expressed that he did not wish to press charges, and the police applied the charge of assault under the Criminal Act, which requires the victim's consent, and closed the case as an internal investigation.

However, controversy arose because the police did not apply the Act on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (Special Act) related to assaulting drivers. Under the Special Act, assaulting a driver can be investigated even if the victim does not wish to press charges.

The wife of the Belgian ambassador to Korea, who caused a stir by assaulting a clothing store clerk, is expected to have the case closed without prosecution. Commissioner Jang said, "We were informed that she will not waive diplomatic immunity," adding, "It will likely be closed without prosecution, and we are in the process of finalizing it." Regarding the investigation into Namyang Dairy Products, which caused the 'Bulgari controversy,' he explained, "We are analyzing seized items and conducting investigation procedures by summoning related parties," adding, "About ten people are being investigated as witnesses."

Furthermore, regarding the recent complaint filed that a Seoul police officer neglected to protect child and adolescent victims of sexual exploitation and failed to investigate the crime, Commissioner Jang emphasized, "The complainant's investigation has been completed, and the accuser's investigation is expected this week," adding, "The Seoul Police Agency will direct the related matters to uncover the truth of the case."

Meanwhile, it was revealed that about 17,000 cases were caught in Seoul during the one month after the implementation of the 'Safe Speed 5030' policy on the 17th of last month. Commissioner Jang emphasized, "Compared to the same period before, the number of enforcement cases increased by about 15%," adding, "Since the purpose of the guidance is to reduce casualties from traffic accidents, we will continue to implement it so that citizens understand and participate in the purpose." Regarding the strengthened regulations on personal mobility devices (PM) such as electric kickboards, which came into effect on the 13th of this month, 170 high-risk violations such as drunk driving and crossing the center line were caught in Seoul over the past week.

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