Summons D-3... "Prosecutors May Conduct Confrontation Investigation of Lee Jae-myung and Daejang-dong Gang"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] With the prosecution summons investigation of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, just 3 days away, legal circles are focusing on whether a confrontation investigation between Lee and the 'Daejang-dong group' will take place.

A lawyer in Seocho-dong analyzed to this paper on the 25th, "It seems that the prosecution's request for two days of investigation of Lee's side is based on the need for a confrontation investigation." The lawyer believed that, considering recent prosecution investigation trends for each case, not much time is needed to press Lee's charges. This is because the suspect interrogation record no longer holds absolute power in trials. Taking this into account, it is possible to speculate that the prosecution's need for a long investigation with Lee is due to consideration of a confrontation investigation.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th and is talking with Park Jumin, chairman of the Euljiro Committee. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The possibility is high. It also seems likely that Lee's side will actively request a confrontation investigation. Earlier, on November 15 last year, Jeong Jin-sang, the chief political coordination officer of the party leader's office and known as Lee's closest aide, requested a confrontation investigation with Yoo Dong-gyu, former head of the Planning Division at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, during his investigation by the prosecution. The intention was to face Yoo, who has made explosive statements regarding the Wirye and Daejang-dong development corruption case, and clarify the truth of each matter. Considering that most of the Democratic Party officials who assisted Jeong's defense are expected to participate in Lee's investigation this time as well, it seems obvious that Lee will also request a confrontation investigation with Yoo or lawyer Nam Wook. Since Yoo has repeatedly pointed to Lee as the pinnacle of the Daejang-dong development project both inside and outside the courtroom and even called him a "liar," some argue that a confrontation investigation between the two is an inevitable choice to uncover the truth of the case.

The prosecution's decision is crucial. It is reported that Jeong's request for a confrontation investigation was previously rejected as "difficult to recognize the necessity." Attention is focused on whether this time will be different. As in the previous 'Seongnam FC sponsorship' case investigation, Lee is expected to submit a written statement and try to replace all answers with the statement. For the prosecution to get Lee to speak, a confrontation investigation with Yoo and the 'Daejang-dong group' is the most effective. This is even more so if the prosecution has a strategy to hide key evidence until the trial. The fact that the prosecution repeatedly summoned and investigated Kim Yong, former deputy director of the Democratic Research Institute, and Jeong Jin-sang since the end of last year but failed to get them to speak has also increased the possibility of a confrontation investigation.

Yoo Dong-gyu, Former Head of Planning Division at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation / Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

The prosecution worked all three days of the Lunar New Year holiday except for the 22nd, the day of the holiday, preparing for Lee's investigation. It is reported that they took thorough measures such as preparing questionnaires. When Lee appears, the prosecution plans to investigate sequentially from charges of breach of trust related to the Daejang-dong development project and violation of the Public Official Conflict of Interest Prevention Act to charges of violation of the Anti-Corruption Act related to the Wirye New Town project. The prosecution maintains the position that two days of investigation are necessary, but as of the morning of that day, it has not yet been decided whether to conduct additional investigations after the 28th. A prosecution official said, "We are in consultation with Lee's defense counsel." Meanwhile, Lee plans to have lunch with pro-Lee (pro-Lee Jae-myung) faction lawmakers within the party that day to discuss strategies regarding the prosecution investigation.

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