Police Accelerate Investigation into 'Seongnam FC and Corporate Card Allegations'...

Bundang Police Station / Photo by Bundang Police Station Homepage Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo Seong-pil] The police are accelerating their investigation into various allegations related to Lee Jae-myung, the Standing Adviser of the Democratic Party of Korea, which surfaced during the 20th presidential election process. However, it is expected that some time will be needed to complete the investigation.

According to investigative authorities on the 21st, the Bundang Police Station in Seongnam is analyzing and reviewing materials obtained from a search and seizure conducted on the 17th at the headquarters of Doosan Construction and the Seongnam FC office. This search was reportedly part of a procedure to examine the use and quid pro quo nature of sponsorship funds received by Seongnam FC from corporations. Following the search and seizure at Seongnam City Hall on the 2nd, this marks the second forced investigation, suggesting that the police investigation is gaining momentum.

However, there is also considerable caution. The police investigation into the Seongnam FC sponsorship fund allegations began in February following a request for supplementary investigation by the prosecution. Since then, the Bundang Police Station has focused its investigation on tracing the flow of funds. The previous two searches and seizures were also conducted as part of this investigation. Essentially, it is said that only the flow of funds has been examined for about three months since the investigation began.

The Bundang Police Station has not yet finalized the schedule for questioning related parties, including corporations and Seongnam FC. Typically, suspect interrogations occur after questioning these related parties. Therefore, it is expected that some time will be needed before the investigation concludes. The suspect in this case is Lee Jae-myung, the Standing Adviser of the Democratic Party. He has been named in multiple warrants. He is currently running in the upcoming by-election for the National Assembly seat in Gyeyang-eul, Incheon, next month.

Lee Jae-myung, Standing Advisor of the Democratic Party of Korea Photo by Yonhap News

The police are also investigating multiple other cases involving Lee. These include the Daejang-dong and Baekhyeon-dong development projects, allegations of private use of corporate cards by Lee’s wife Kim Hye-kyung and irregularities in hiring her personal secretary, allegations of prostitution and illegal gambling involving his son Dong-ho, and suspicions of a secret camp at the Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Corporation (GH) dormitory. Most of these complaints and accusations were filed during the presidential election period and are being investigated by the Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency.

Among these, the case that has been closed is the 'Hye-gyeong-gung Kim Twitter Allegation,' which was refiled by the civic group 'Action Alliance for Establishing the Rule of Law.' It was dismissed (non-prosecution) on the 8th of last month. The police reportedly dismissed the case because the complainant withdrew the accusation. However, most of the other cases remain at the stage of complainant investigation.

The police have stated their intention to conduct investigations according to law and principle. However, there is also a perception that few cases have been concluded relative to the time spent on investigations. Previously, a Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency official said regarding the completion timeline, "Although we cannot guarantee it, we plan to conclude as many cases as possible within the first half of this year."

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