Kim Kwang-ho, Chief of Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, "Decision on Lee Jun-seok's Summons to Be Made Soon"

"Fact Verification and Legal Review Underway"
Kim Geon-hee's False Career Claims Also in Final Stage

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Kim Kwang-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated on the 29th regarding Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, who is under investigation for allegations of sexual bribery, "We plan to determine whether to summon him after verifying the facts based on the witness investigation contents."

At a press briefing that morning, when asked about summoning Lee, Commissioner Kim replied, "The investigation of Kim Sung-jin, former CEO of i-Kist, an important witness, has been completed." Regarding the investigation method, he added, "It will be decided according to legal principles (whether it will be written or a summons)." He explained about concerns over the statute of limitations, saying, "We will conclude before the statute of limitations expires."

Regarding the schedule for a confrontation interrogation with Kim Cheol-geun, the chief political secretary to the party leader, who was booked on suspicion of writing the so-called '70 million won memorandum' to cover up Lee’s sexual bribery allegations, he said, "It is difficult to speak in detail." On allegations of investigation interference by the ruling party raised by some, he emphasized, "I have had no contact whatsoever with the so-called Yoon core group and will not have any in the future," adding, "As the head of a law enforcement agency, it is impossible in my life to judge law enforcement outside the law and conscience."

Regarding the investigation status of Kim Geon-hee, wife of President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is suspected of having false credentials, he said, "We are in the final legal review," and "A conclusion is expected soon." According to Asia Economy’s comprehensive coverage, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has recently decided to dismiss the case against Kim Geon-hee, who was reported for forgery of private documents and obstruction of business, on the grounds of 'no prosecutorial rights.' It is also known that they judged that fraud charges do not apply. However, the police have not yet closed the case.

The investigation into election crimes related to the 20th presidential election is in its final stage. Commissioner Kim explained, "We received 512 election-related cases involving 894 people, and have closed 501 cases involving 861 people (184 referred, 677 dismissed)," adding, "The remaining cases are under investigation." He further stated, "Ongoing cases will be promptly investigated and concluded."

Regarding the investigation into jeonse (long-term lease) fraud, which Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun ordered as the first public experience promise after his inauguration, he explained, "As of the 23rd, since the special crackdown began, 16 people have been arrested in 11 cases," adding, "In total, investigations are underway for 87 cases involving 188 people." He elaborated, "Cases with large-scale damages will be intensively investigated by the Seoul Police Agency’s dedicated jeonse fraud investigation team."

Regarding the special crackdown on drug offenders, which Commissioner Yoon ordered as the second public experience promise, he revealed, "298 drug offenders have been arrested, and 36 have been detained." About 'drug crimes around clubs and entertainment establishments,' he said, "Since the 11th, a joint task force (TF) has been conducting intensive crackdowns," adding, "Joint inspections and crackdowns with related agencies are being carried out rigorously, and providing venues or condoning and aiding such acts by establishments will be strictly prosecuted."

Meanwhile, Commissioner Kim commented on the Hite Jinro headquarters occupation incident by the Cargo Solidarity of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, saying, "The protesters on the first floor voluntarily evacuated," and "We will decide on the response after comprehensively considering safety issues and progress in labor-management negotiations." Regarding investigations into the subway boarding and alighting and road occupation protests by the National Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (Jeonjangyeon), he explained, "27 people are under investigation, and third summons orders have been issued to key related persons."

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