National Investigation Chief: "Lee Yonggu's Identity Was Not Reported to National Police Agency at Time of Assault"

Police Officers Suspected of Receiving "Golf Hospitality"
Assigned to Major Crime Investigation Division

Nam Gujun, Chief of the National Investigation Headquarters, National Police Agency. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy, reporter Lee Kwanju] Regarding suspicions that the police were aware of Vice Minister of Justice Lee Yonggu's identity in advance in connection with his "taxi driver assault case," Nam Gujun, Chief of the National Investigation Headquarters at the National Police Agency, stated, "There has been no report to the National Police Agency."

At a press briefing on the 31st, Chief Nam explained, "I understand that an employee from the Life Safety Division at Seocho Police Station gave an informal report to a counterpart at the Life Safety Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency," adding, "As far as I know, there was no official report or report through the investigation line."

Previously, the police had claimed that at the time of the assault case, they only knew that Lee was a lawyer and were unaware of his specific career background, and that there had been no report to higher authorities. However, it was later revealed that this was not true.

The joint fact-finding team for inspection and investigation at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency found that the Seocho Police Station chief had been informed by the Life Safety Division that the perpetrator of the taxi driver assault was being mentioned as one of the candidates for Chief of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, and instructed that the evidence be clarified. The head of the Criminal Division also explained that he became aware of Vice Minister Lee's identity through an internet search.

Regarding allegations that certain police officers received golf hospitality from a businessman, Chief Nam stated, "We made a judgment through an internal affairs investigation and requested a formal investigation. The case has been assigned to the Major Crime Investigation Division of the National Investigation Headquarters," adding, "We will conduct a strict investigation to ensure there are no suspicions of protecting our own."

In response to questions about when and where the cell phone of Mr. Son Jungmin's friend A, who was found dead after going missing at Hangang Park, was discovered, he explained, "A verification process is needed, and the investigation team is currently confirming the specific time and location."

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