The Central District Prosecutors' Office Assigns Criminal Division 3 to Investigate Lee Geun for Unauthorized Entry into Ukraine

by Heo Kyungjun

Published 15 Jun.2022 19:58(KST)

Updated 15 Jun.2022 19:59(KST)

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Police Send Passport Act Violation Suspect Without Detention... Prosecution Assigns to Violent Crime Investigation Unit

Former Captain Lee Geun, who participated in the foreign volunteer battalion 'Territorial Defense Forces International Brigade' in Ukraine, is answering questions from the press after returning to Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport on the morning of the 27th of last month.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office has assigned the investigation of former Captain Lee Geun, who fought as a member of the foreign volunteer battalion 'National Defense Corps International Brigade' after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and returned to Korea, to the Criminal Division 3.

According to the legal community on the 15th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office assigned former Captain Lee's case to Criminal Division 3 (Chief Prosecutor Seo Jeong-sik), which investigates violent crimes and other serious offenses.

Earlier, the International Crime Investigation Unit of the Narcotics Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency sent former Captain Lee to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office without detention on charges of violating the Passport Act.

Former Captain Lee voluntarily appeared at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on the 10th and was investigated, reportedly admitting to most of the charges, including violation of the Passport Act.

He is suspected of having 'illegally' departed for Ukraine in March to fight against Russian forces. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs filed a complaint against Lee for violating the Passport Act for traveling to Ukraine, where a Level 4 travel alert was issued, without permission to use his passport. Violating the Passport Act by visiting or staying in Ukraine without government approval can result in imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won.