[Exclusive] Police Send Lee Im-jae on 'Parliament Perjury Charges'... Prosecution Demands Corrective Measures

Former Yongsan Police Chief Lee Im-jae, who is accused of perjury in the 10·29 Itaewon disaster parliamentary investigation, has ultimately been referred to the prosecution. Previously, the police had decided to suspend the investigation into Lee’s case, citing its connection to the ongoing trial.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to a comprehensive report by Asia Economy on the 20th, Yeongdeungpo Police Station referred former Chief Lee to the prosecution on the 15th on charges of violating the National Assembly Act on Testimony and Inspection. It is reported that the police recently resumed the investigation after receiving a corrective action request from the prosecution.

Initially, in April, the police had decided to suspend the investigation into former Chief Lee. Investigation suspension means halting the investigation until the trial verdict is delivered, after which the investigation can be resumed. Lee is currently on trial at the Seoul Western District Court on charges including professional negligence causing injury and falsification and use of false official documents. Since the trial is ongoing, the police appear to have decided to await the court’s judgment.

Lee is accused of perjury for giving false testimony during the 10·29 Itaewon disaster parliamentary investigation, including claiming that he was unaware of the Itaewon disaster.

In January, the Special Committee on the National Assembly Investigation (National Assembly Special Committee) filed charges against Lee along with Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min and National Police Agency Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun. In April, the police decided to temporarily suspend the investigation into Lee, stating that further judgment was needed as the trial was ongoing.

Meanwhile, those who were jointly charged with the same allegations, including Minister Lee, Commissioner Yoon, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Kim Kwang-ho, Presidential Office National Situation Room Chief Han Oh-seop, and Seoul City Deputy Mayor for Administration Kim Ui-seung, were all dismissed without indictment. However, Song Byung-joo, head of the Yongsan Police Station 112 Situation Room, was referred to the prosecution after being found partially absent from the National Assembly Special Committee hearings.

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