Prosecutors Expected to Investigate Lee Jae-myung for Two Days... Extensive Inquiries into Wirye and Daejang-dong

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution has notified Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, to appear for questioning regarding the 'Wirye New Town and Daejang-dong Development Corruption Allegations,' and there is speculation that the investigation will last for two days.

According to the legal community on the 17th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 1 (Chief Prosecutor Eom Hee-jun) and Division 3 (Chief Prosecutor Kang Baek-shin) have notified Lee's side to appear on the 27th as a suspect on charges including breach of trust and undergo questioning.

Lee Jae-myung, Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea Photo by Yonhap News

Inside and outside the prosecution, there is speculation that if Lee appears at the prosecution office on the 27th as scheduled, he will also be required to appear on Monday the 30th. It is known that one day is insufficient for the investigation due to the extensive matters that need to be confirmed with Lee.

Since Lee, as the mayor, was the final approver of the overall Wirye and Daejang-dong development projects led by Seongnam City, the prosecution must verify whether he was aware of, involved in, or tolerated each suspicion. The prosecution views the corruption structure as private contractors involved in the Daejang-dong project colluding with Seongnam City and Seongnam Urban Development Corporation from the project promotion stage, leaking internal secrets to gain illegal profits. The prosecution believes this collusion began after Lee was elected mayor of Seongnam in June 2010. Therefore, the investigation into whether Lee, as the final approver at the time, was involved in illegal activities throughout the project inevitably goes back to the early 2010s, 13 years ago. A significant amount of time is needed to question Lee about these matters.

The prosecution must also clarify whether Lee's side has any hidden shares promised in Cheonhwa-dongin No. 1, an affiliate of the private contractor Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management, and the final destination of illegal political funds and bribes given by private contractors to Lee's close associates.

On the 17th, Lee did not respond to reporters' questions about whether he would comply with the prosecution's summons. It is reported that Lee's side is quietly coordinating the summons schedule with the prosecution. It is highly likely that he will not appear on the 27th as notified by the prosecution, but the prevailing analysis is that he will comply with the summons at a later time.

After completing the investigation at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, the prosecution is expected to request an arrest warrant for Lee, linking it with the third-party bribery charges in the Seongnam FC case. However, since the Democratic Party of Korea, to which Lee belongs, holds a majority in the current National Assembly, the likelihood of a motion to consent to his arrest being passed during the session is low.

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