Prosecutors Summon Lee Jae-myung Over 'Seongnam FC Sponsorship Fund Allegations'

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 19th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok and Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution investigating the 'Seongnam FC sponsorship fund allegations' has notified Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, to appear.

According to the legal community on the 22nd, the Criminal Division 3 of Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Seongnam Branch (Chief Prosecutor Yoo Min-jong) recently informed Lee, in the capacity of a suspect, to appear at the prosecution next week for questioning. The specific schedule is reported to be under coordination.

The Seongnam FC sponsorship fund allegations involve claims that Lee, while serving as mayor of Seongnam and owner of Seongnam FC, received approximately 16 billion KRW in quid pro quo sponsorship funds from companies such as Doosan Construction, Naver, and Cha Hospital. The prosecution believes that after receiving the sponsorship funds, Lee and the Seongnam city government provided conveniences by resolving corporate issues such as building permits and land use changes. The prosecution has been focusing on investigating whether Lee can be charged with 'bribery by a third party.' On the 15th, former Naver CEO Kim Sang-heon was summoned, and the day before, Jeong Jin-sang, former Political Coordination Officer of the party leader’s office, who was indicted and detained on bribery charges, was also summoned for intensive questioning regarding Lee’s instructions and approvals.

Earlier, in September, former Seongnam City Strategic Promotion Team Leader Kim and former Doosan Construction CEO Lee, who were involved in the allegations, were indicted without detention, with the indictment stating that "former Team Leader Kim conspired with then Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung and former Seongnam City Policy Secretary Jeong Jin-sang."

Meanwhile, regarding the news of Lee’s summons notification, a Democratic Party official said, "We are confirming the details," and added, "We will release a statement later." Lee is scheduled to visit the Gyeongbuk and Gangwon regions as part of the 'Listening Tour into the People.'

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