'Wife Assault Allegation' Lee Jeong-hoon, Gangdong-gu Mayor, Avoids Criminal Charges... Police Forward Case as Domestic Protection Matter

Lee Jeong-hoon, Mayor of Gangdong-gu
Photo by Gangdong-gu Office

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Lee Jung-hoon (54), the mayor of Gangdong-gu, who was under investigation by the police on charges of assaulting his spouse, has avoided criminal prosecution.

On the 9th, the Songpa Police Station in Seoul announced that they had sent the case involving Mayor Lee, who is accused of violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Domestic Violence Crimes, to the prosecution as a family protection case. A family protection case refers to incidents of domestic violence where protective measures such as restraining orders, community service, and mandatory education are deemed necessary rather than criminal prosecution.

Accordingly, Mayor Lee will not face criminal charges, and no criminal record will be created. When handled as a family protection case, measures such as attending domestic violence prevention education and orders to stay away from the victim are imposed.

Mayor Lee is accused of grabbing and twisting the wrist of his wife, Ms. A, around 8:30 p.m. on the 15th of last month in an apartment parking lot in Songpa-gu to restrain her actions. He is also accused of punching Ms. A in the face last July in a park in front of an apartment in Gangdong-gu, causing injury. The two reportedly argued over an issue related to people around Mayor Lee.

A police official stated, "The victim submitted a letter of withdrawal of prosecution and expressed a desire for the case to be handled as a family protection case," adding, "We made the decision respecting the victim's wishes."

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