Prosecutors Target Close Associates... Lee Jae-myung's 'Judicial Risk' Reaches Peak (Comprehensive)

Prosecutors' Unstoppable Investigation into Lee Jae-myung Involvement
Pressure on Daejang-dong, Wirye-Seongnam FC, and More
Kim Yong Detained - Jeong Jin-sang Restricted from Leaving
Possible Expansion Following Yoon Dong-gyu's Revelations
Critical Judicial Risk Crossroads Expected by Month-End

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution's purge wind investigating various allegations involving Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is blowing relentlessly.

On the morning of the 24th, the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 3 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kang Baek-shin), which is investigating the 'illegal political funds' allegations, once again conducted a search and seizure at the Democratic Party headquarters. This was a retry five days after the failed search and seizure following a standoff with Democratic Party members on the 19th. It is reported that about 17 prosecutors and investigators succeeded in entering the Democratic Party headquarters. If physical evidence is secured, the prosecution's investigation is expected to proceed more swiftly. The prosecution is confident in proving the case. Prosecutors stated firmly, "The investigation and execution of warrants are being carried out lawfully," and "We will not hesitate or waver." The political purge situation is gradually heating up and is expected to peak at the end of this month and early next month. Lee's 'judicial risk' is at a critical crossroads.

▲Prosecution reaches even close aides... Kim Yong's detention and Jeong Jin-sang's summons imminent

The two allegations of the Daejang-dong and Wirye urban development project lobbying and Seongnam FC sponsorship funds have shown the most progress among the various allegations against Lee. While investigating the Daejang-dong allegations, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office expanded the scope to include the Wirye New Town development corruption case, which is known to have a similar structure, and in this process recently reached the investigation of the 'illegal political funds' case. The investigation entered a new phase as Yoo Dong-gyu, former Planning Director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, considered one of the so-called 'Daejang-dong gang,' made decisive statements during the prosecution's interrogation. Yoo testified that Kim Yong, Deputy Director of the Democratic Research Institute, received 847 million KRW from Yoo and others in violation of the law from April to August last year. The prosecution believes this money was used as Lee's presidential campaign funds and detained Kim on the 22nd. Kim has been considered Lee's 'right-hand man,' assisting him closely for about ten years. The prosecution is investigating Kim, who is well aware of the use of funds and Lee's involvement. This investigation is expected to continue to be influenced by Yoo's statements, as further revelations are anticipated. Yoo also began to speak about the details of the Daejang-dong allegations. Yoo said that when his residence was searched by the prosecution in September last year, he communicated with Jeong Jin-sang, Political Coordination Officer of the Democratic Party leader's office, and Kim Yong, and disposed of his mobile phone. According to him, Jeong instructed, "Throw away the mobile phone," and Kim said, "Since it has been discussed with Prosecutor A, if you are hospitalized, you will not be arrested."

Jeong's summons to the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Seongnam branch is expected soon over the 'Seongnam FC sponsorship funds' allegations. The investigation team, which has been analyzing the materials secured through search and seizure, is weighing summonses of related persons. The investigation team recently imposed a travel ban on Jeong. Earlier, after sending prosecutors and investigators to Doosan Construction and others on the 16th of last month to secure materials, they conducted three rounds of search and seizure at 37 locations over 20 days. This case involves allegations that Lee, who served as mayor of Seongnam and owner of Seongnam FC from 2014 to 2017, received several hundred million won in bribe-like sponsorship funds from local companies in exchange for resolving their issues. Jeong is known to have played a practical role as the person responsible for the club's operations at that time. His signature appears in various approval lines related to club operations. The prosecution indicted the former head of Seongnam City's Strategic Promotion Team last month, stating in the indictment that Lee and Jeong were in a conspiratorial relationship.

Prosecutor's flag fluttering in the wind [Photo by Yonhap News]

▲Lawyer fee payments and Ssangbangwool allegations remain stagnant

On the other hand, investigations into the 'lawyer fee payments' and 'Ssangbangwool corruption' allegations are stagnant. The prosecution, which has been fervently investigating the 'lawyer fee payments' allegations since the presidential election, has yet to produce significant results. The Suwon District Prosecutors' Office dismissed the public official election law violation case related to Lee's lawyer fee payments last month. However, the non-prosecution decision document stated, "It is difficult to exclude the possibility that lawyer fees were paid on behalf," leaving room for further investigation.

The Ssangbangwool allegations are following a similar trend. While investigating suspicious fund flows of the Ssangbangwool Group, the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office expanded the investigation after detecting evidence that Ssangbangwool gave several hundred million won in bribes to Lee Hwa-young, former Deputy Governor for Peace of Gyeonggi Province, during the period when Ssangbangwool supported Gyeonggi Province's inter-Korean economic cooperation projects. Through this, the prosecution proved that Lee Hwa-young received illegal political funds amounting to 320 million KRW from Ssangbangwool Group between July 2018 and July 2022 by means such as providing corporate card and vehicle use and paying false salaries to his associates, and indicted him in custody. However, it was concluded that Lee Jae-myung, who was governor at the time, was not related to the case.

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