Once Again 'False Information Disclosure'... Lee Jae-myung, with a History of Acquittal, Engages in Full-Scale Confrontation with Prosecution

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and the prosecution are clashing once again over allegations of 'false information disclosure.' It is claimed that Lee made several false statements in official settings during the recent presidential election. Lee has previously been indicted on this charge and was acquitted by the court. Because of this, there is keen interest in the outcome of the current prosecution investigation.

According to the prosecution on the 2nd, the Public Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Sang-hyun) and the Criminal Division 3 of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Seongnam Branch (Chief Prosecutor Yoo Min-jong) have notified Lee’s side to appear for questioning on the 6th. The prosecution summoned Lee on charges of false information disclosure under the Public Official Election Act.

There are three related cases. First, during an interview with a broadcasting company during the presidential election period, Lee stated that he did not know the late Kim Moon-gi, the head of Development Division 1 at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, who was a key figure in the Daejang-dong development project. Second, on October 20 last year, at the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee’s audit of Gyeonggi Province, Lee said regarding the special favor allegations about the land use change in Baekhyeon-dong and the cooperation letter received from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport during development, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport forced us to do it through threats." Third, concerning the deletion of the Daejang-dong excess profit recovery clause, Lee stated at last year’s audit and other occasions, "I was not informed," and "After the selection of the preferred negotiation partner, the Audit Office could impose sanctions, so it cannot be changed recklessly."

The statute of limitations for these cases is set to expire on the 9th. The prosecution is reportedly planning to summon Lee, the suspect in these cases, to provide an opportunity for explanation and hear his position before deciding on how to handle the cases.

Legal circles view Lee’s appearance as unlikely. As a member of the National Assembly, Lee enjoys parliamentary immunity, which prevents arrest without the Assembly’s consent during sessions. However, there remains a possibility that Lee might respond to the prosecution’s investigation, contrary to expectations. Within the opposition party, there is a sensed atmosphere preparing for an all-out confrontation with the prosecution. Kim Hyun-ji, a close aide to Lee and former Gyeonggi Province secretary, sent a text message to Lee informing him of the summons, saying, "The summons letter just arrived, sir. This is war."

If Lee actively participates in the prosecution’s investigation, it is expected that he will confront the prosecution based on past court rulings that acquitted him of false information disclosure charges.

Lee was investigated and indicted by the police and prosecution for allegedly making false statements during a TV debate ahead of the 2018 local elections, specifically denying that he tried to forcibly hospitalize his elder brother. The Supreme Court’s full bench reviewed the case and on July 16, 2020, remanded it to the Suwon High Court with a verdict favoring acquittal. Three months later, the Suwon High Court acquitted Lee.

However, the legitimacy of this ruling has been heavily questioned because former Supreme Court Justice Kwon Soon-il, who led the acquittal decision, was revealed to be close to Kim Man-bae, the major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu, a key figure in the Daejang-dong development scandal, and had served as an advisor to Hwacheon Daeyu since November 2021. Kwon was also included in the controversial '50 Billion Club' list of individuals who benefited from special favors in the Daejang-dong project.

Meanwhile, Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, said at the National Assembly Budget and Accounts Committee’s comprehensive policy questioning session the day before, regarding Lee’s summons by the prosecution, "I believe the prosecution will conduct a fair and transparent investigation." When People Power Party lawmaker Jang Dong-hyuk asked, "Is it not necessary to clarify whether the perpetrator was aware that the information was false in the crime of false information disclosure?" Minister Han replied, "As a general rule, yes, of course."

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