Investigation into Lee Jae-myung over 'Seongnam FC Sponsorship Funds' Likely to Extend Beyond Year-End... "Under Discussion"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Regarding the 'Seongnam FC sponsorship fund allegations,' Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is expected to appear before the prosecution early next year.

According to legal circles on the 28th, Lee is coordinating the schedule for summons and investigation with the prosecution. Lee did not respond to the summons investigation initially notified by the prosecution for that day. His side stated that he could not attend due to reasons such as 'unilateral notification' and 'pre-scheduled commitments.'

A representative from Lee's side said, "The prosecution set and notified the summons date despite knowing that Lee was scheduled to travel to Gwangju today," adding, "Although discussions are ongoing, it is practically difficult for him to appear by the end of the year."

If Lee's summons investigation is smoothly coordinated, it is highly likely to take place in early January next year, considering the trial schedule. The court handling the third-party bribery case involving former Doosan Construction CEO A, who was indicted earlier in September in connection with the Seongnam FC sponsorship fund allegations, set a deadline of January 31 next year at the prosecution's request to "appropriately schedule the trial while confirming the accomplice's charges." The prosecution indicted A and others, naming Lee and Jeong Jin-sang, the Political Coordination Officer of the party leader's office, as accomplices in the indictment.

After Lee's summons investigation concludes, the prosecution may request an arrest warrant for him. The prosecution is confident in proving Lee's third-party bribery charges, and since the bribery amount reaches 17 billion KRW, the necessity for detention investigation is emerging.

The Seongnam FC sponsorship fund allegations involve Lee, who was the mayor of Seongnam and the club owner of Seongnam FC, allegedly securing sponsorship funds amounting to about 17 billion KRW from companies such as Naver and Doosan Construction between 2015 and 2017, and providing these companies with conveniences such as building permits and land use changes.

The prosecution is expected to soon conclude investigations into sponsorship fund allegations involving companies including Doosan Construction, Naver, and Cha Hospital.

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