Prosecutors Summon Lee Jeong-geun Over 'Hundred-Million Won Bribery Allegations'... "Allegations Are Not True"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution is summoning and investigating Lee Jeong-geun, former Deputy Secretary-General of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is suspected of receiving a large sum of money from a businessman as a bribe. The Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Young-chul) called Lee as a suspect on the 23rd.

Arriving at the prosecution office around 9 a.m. that day, Lee told reporters, "I have been involved in civil and criminal lawsuits with the opposing party for several months, but only one-sided claims have been reported, which is very frustrating," and added, "The various allegations raised are not true." When asked about specific facts, he said, "I will speak after the investigation is complete."

Businessman Park claimed that Lee, leveraging his close ties with key figures in the Blue House during the previous administration, acted as if he would fulfill various business and personnel requests, including mask approval, and handed over about 1 billion won to him. On the other hand, Lee's side stated that he borrowed money from Park when in urgent need and repaid it, emphasizing that it was a creditor-debtor relationship and not illegal funds.

The prosecution has been investigating the nature of the financial transactions between the two through searches of Lee's residence and office, tracking bank accounts, and questioning Park.

Separately from this case, Lee was indicted without detention on the 8th for violating the Public Official Election Act by paying election workers more than the allowed amount during his candidacy for the Democratic Party's National Assembly candidate in the Seocho-gap district of Seoul in the March 9 by-election.

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