Police: "Investigation into Lee Jun-seok's Allegations... Significant Time Needed Until Conclusion"

Core witness investigation not yet complete
Ongoing until the end of this month... Lee's summons still pending
Kim Geon-hee's response contains many details, under review

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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[Asia Economy Reporter Jo Sung-pil] Kim Kwang-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said on the 18th regarding the investigation into allegations of sexual bribery and evidence tampering involving Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, that "a considerable amount of time is needed."

At a regular press briefing that morning, Commissioner Kim stated, "There are significant restrictions on investigation time because a key witness is incarcerated." He mentioned that the investigation of Kim Sung-jin, CEO of i-CAIST and a witness in this case, has not yet been completed, suggesting the possibility of further questioning. When asked about proving and establishing the charges against Lee and whether he would be summoned for questioning, he said, "Since the investigation is ongoing, I cannot confirm specific details."

The police investigation into Lee is proceeding along three main lines: ▲the allegation of prostitution involving Lee receiving sexual bribery from CEO Kim, ▲the charge of accepting a bribe for arranging a meeting between CEO Kim and former President Park, and ▲the instruction to tamper with evidence by persuading witness Jang, who raised sexual misconduct allegations, through Kim Cheol-geun, the party leader’s political secretary. Initially, when the People Power Party’s Ethics Committee imposed a six-month suspension of party membership on Lee on the 7th, it was expected that the police investigation would accelerate; however, the situation has proven challenging. The police are reportedly planning to continue in-prison questioning of CEO Kim until the end of this month.

Regarding the investigation into allegations of false credentials by Kim Geon-hee, wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol, Commissioner Kim also said, "I cannot confirm specific investigation details." He explained, "We are reviewing the written responses submitted, and since there is a lot of content, we are conducting a comprehensive review." It was previously reported that Kim Geon-hee submitted written answers to the police earlier this month. While reviewing the responses, the police believe no additional answers will be necessary. Currently, Kim Geon-hee remains in the status of a complainant, not a suspect, in this case.

First Lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the investigation into the deaths of employees and customers at entertainment establishments in Gangnam, Commissioner Kim stated, "We are conducting investigations to determine the causes of death while simultaneously tracking drug distribution routes." On the 7th, the National Forensic Service performed autopsies on two deceased individuals, and to verify whether those present at the drinking party had taken drugs, forensic analysis was requested. The results of the autopsies and analyses are expected to be returned by the end of this month.

As a countermeasure to the recent spread of drug crimes in Seoul, Commissioner Kim said, "Under the judgment that proactive measures are necessary, we have been conducting special crackdowns since the 14th, focusing on supply offenders with intensive enforcement." He added, "Considering the increasing trend of drug transactions using the internet (dark web), SNS, and virtual assets, we plan to deploy cyber investigation functions for active crackdowns. Additionally, in response to the trend of younger drug offenders, we plan to conduct youth drug prevention education through SPO (School Police Officers)."

Regarding the investigation into the subway boarding and alighting and road-blocking protests by the Jeonjangyeon (Jeon Jang-yeon) group, Commissioner Kim explained, "Investigations are underway for 26 individuals. After questioning one person, we are continuously requesting the others to appear." Concerning the group’s refusal to appear due to the lack of an elevator in the police station, he dismissed the issue by saying, "We have prepared to conduct investigations in the first-floor statement recording room."

Regarding the disappearance of a woman in her 20s near Gayang Station, Commissioner Kim said, "While investigating all possibilities, based on the analysis of bus black box footage near Gayang Bridge and the content of a note resembling a suicide letter, we believe there is a possibility of an extreme choice." He added, "For the search, we are cooperating with the Seoul Metropolitan Police’s Han River Patrol Unit and drone team, the Gyeonggi Northern and Southern Police Agencies, military units, and the Incheon Coast Guard."

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