Prosecutors Conduct Search and Seizure at the Residence of Jeong Jin-sang, Chief Political Coordinator of the Democratic Party Office and Right-hand Man of Lee Jae-myung

Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Seocho-dong, Seoul. / Photo by Choi Seok-jin

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, legal affairs specialist] On the 9th, the prosecution is conducting a search and seizure at the residence of Jeong Jin-sang, the Political Coordination Officer of the party representative's office, who is known as a close aide to Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.

The Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Eom Hee-jun), which is investigating the Daejang-dong case, announced that it is carrying out a search and seizure at Jeong's residence this morning in connection with allegations of violation of the Anti-Corruption Act and the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (bribery).

Jeong, known as Lee leader's "right-hand man," is suspected of receiving several tens of millions of won in illicit funds from private developers involved in the Daejang-dong development, including lawyer Nam Wook.

The prosecution is reported to have secured testimonies from former Seongnam Urban Development Corporation Planning Director Yoo Dong-gyu, lawyer Nam, and others, stating that Lee, when re-elected as mayor of Seongnam in the 2014 local elections, delivered 50 million won, and 40 million won in 2020, to Jeong.

Additionally, testimonies have been obtained indicating that since 2013, Jeong has been continuously entertained with alcohol and received expensive gifts during holidays from these individuals.

Earlier, when the Daejang-dong development allegations surfaced last year and former Director Yoo was mentioned as a close aide, Lee denied this and instead identified Jeong and Kim Yong, deputy director of the Democratic Research Institute who was indicted the day before on charges of violating the Political Funds Act, as his close aides.

Meanwhile, investigations regarding Jeong are also underway at the Seongnam branch of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office concerning the 'Seongnam FC sponsorship fund' allegations.

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