[2022 National Audit] 'Lee Jae-myung's Closest Aide' Kim Yong Arrested... Lee Won-seok "Crime Charges Proven Enough to Issue Warrant"

Democratic Party Raises 'Yoo Dong-gyu Coercion Suspicion'... "Highly Doubtful That Coercion Could Occur"
Regarding the Possibility of Moon's Written Investigation on 'West Sea Official Shooting,' "Utmost Caution Required"

Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok is attending the National Assembly's inspection of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office held on the 20th and is reporting on his duties. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] On the 20th, Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok stated at the National Assembly audit that regarding the investigation of Kim Yong, deputy director of the Democratic Research Institute and a close aide to Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, "It is judged that the crime charges have been substantiated to the extent that an arrest warrant was issued."

The Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 3 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kang Baek-shin) abruptly arrested Deputy Director Kim the previous day on charges including receiving illegal presidential election funds amounting to over 800 million won and attempted to conduct a search and seizure of the Democratic Research Institute located at the Democratic Party's central party office, but the attempt was thwarted due to strong opposition from the Democratic Party.

The prosecution is known to have detected circumstances in which Deputy Director Kim demanded 2 billion won in presidential election preparation funds from Yoo Dong-gyu, former acting president of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, in February of last year.

Former acting president Yoo conveyed Deputy Director Kim's demand to Nam Wook, a lawyer and owner of Cheonhwa-dongin No. 4, an affiliate of Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management, a private operator of the Daejang-dong project. Lawyer Nam reportedly raised over 800 million won and passed it to Deputy Director Kim through lawyers Jeong Min-yong and former acting president Yoo between April and August of last year.

Park Hyung-soo, a member of the People Power Party, questioned, "The search warrant specifies even the delivery location, and it seems that the investigation has already progressed significantly. Have you secured the testimony of former head Yoo?"

Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok replied, "I cannot provide detailed information on the specific investigation situation or progress as the suspect is under arrest and investigation, but it is judged that the crime charges have been substantiated to the extent that an arrest warrant was issued."

The People Power Party claims that the Democratic Party is raising suspicions that the prosecution is conducting an illegal investigation by attempting to induce former head Yoo and demands a detailed explanation from Prosecutor General Lee.

In response, Prosecutor General Lee said, "I understand that former head Yoo and Deputy Director Kim have had ties with opposition party lawmakers for over 10 years," adding, "It is highly questionable whether a person who has served as the head of an institution or a senior executive of an institution could be induced."

Members of the People Power Party also inquired about the circumstances leading to the prosecution's search and seizure of the Democratic Research Institute. Prosecutor General Lee explained, "The ABC of search and seizure are the workplace and residence, and obtaining a warrant for a residence is as difficult as threading a needle to prove substantiality," adding, "If a residential warrant is issued, an office warrant will definitely be issued. If this office had been a personal office, the search would have been conducted comfortably."

He continued, "Before the Supreme Prosecutors' Office audit, I received a report that the Democratic Research Institute was located inside the Democratic Party headquarters," and added, "Would it have been easy for me to decide to conduct a search and seizure of the Democratic Research Institute inside the party headquarters? However, I have the duty to execute the issued warrant."

He further stated, "During the execution of the search and seizure, prosecutors pleaded for eight hours to carry out the warrant but were oppressed and unable to execute it due to the overwhelming power of the crowd, and I felt sorry and regretful for the prosecutors," appealing, "We are not trying to seize political or policy matters of a public party, so I believe there will be cooperation."

The ruling party also focused questions on the ‘West Sea civil servant shooting incident.’ Lawmaker Yoo Sang-beom asked, "The Blue House was the main actor, and agencies such as the National Intelligence Service, Ministry of National Defense, and Coast Guard followed orders to conceal evidence and falsely accuse the victim of defecting to the North, trampling on human rights," and inquired, "How far has the investigation progressed?"

Prosecutor General Lee replied, "The most fundamental duty of the state and prosecution is to protect the lives and safety of the people," and said, "In carrying out the duties of the Prosecutor General, I judged that the West Sea civil servant shooting incident is a very important case and instructed thorough investigation."

He added, "Until two years ago, Mr. Lee Dae-jun was a civil servant and was considered to have defected to the North, but two years later, he returned, and we are currently reviewing the situation," explaining, "If Mr. Lee Dae-jun did defect, crossing the border would constitute a violation of the National Security Act and an escape crime, and if he defected, it might be considered espionage."

He further stated, "Unconditionally labeling our citizens as violators of the National Security Act or spies without clear evidence can cause great wounds to the bereaved families and our people."

Regarding lawmaker Cho Soo-jin's question about whether a written investigation of former President Moon Jae-in should be considered, he said, "The principle is to investigate without any other considerations based on evidence and legal grounds," adding, "A former president represented the state and the people during their term, so utmost caution is required, and investigations should always be conducted with restraint."

On the suspicion of economic manipulation related to the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1, Prosecutor General Lee stated, "We are not investigating the policy on nuclear power plants," and clarified, "We are investigating procedural illegalities in the process of policy formulation, decision-making, and execution, whether evidence was illegally seized, and abuse of authority."

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