Prosecutors Conduct Search and Seizure Related to Witness Providing Alibi for Kim Yong

On the 29th, the prosecution conducted a search and seizure of individuals close to Lee, the former head of the Gyeonggi-do Market Promotion Agency, who is accused of perjury in the trial concerning former Kim Yong, ex-deputy director of the Democratic Research Institute, and his illegal fund receipt case.

Kim Yong, former Vice President of the Democratic Research Institute Photo by Yonhap News

The Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 3 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kang Baeksin) sent prosecutors and investigators to three locations, including the residence and business premises of Lee's associate A, to secure related materials. A prosecution official explained, "This is to secure additional evidence and comprehensively clarify the perjury charges," adding, "There is a need to verify allegations of evidence tampering, hence the search and seizure."

It is known that A did not appear as a direct witness in Kim's trial. The prosecution is investigating Lee on suspicion that he testified with a 'false alibi' regarding the timing of the illegal presidential election fund receipt during Kim's trial on the 4th of last month. Lee testified in court that on May 3, 2021, between 3:00 PM and 4:50 PM, he met Kim at his office within the Suwon Convention Center in Suwon City, Gyeonggi Province, to discuss work. He also stated that Shin, the director of the Gyeonggi Energy Center, was present.

As evidence to support this, Lee submitted a photo of his old mobile phone calendar, which contained a memo of the appointment with Kim, to the court. However, the mobile phone suddenly went missing, and despite the court's ex officio search warrant, it was never handed over. May 3, 2021, is the date the prosecution identified based on testimony from former Seongnam Urban Development Corporation head Yoo Dong-gyu, specifying that Kim received 10 million won in illegal presidential election funds at the office of Youwon Holdings in Pangyo-dong, Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province. According to Lee's testimony, Kim was elsewhere on the day the prosecution pointed out, thus establishing an alibi that could exonerate him. Shin also submitted a statement of facts to the court consistent with Lee's testimony.

However, the prosecution views their claims as directly contradicting the testimonies of related parties and objective evidence obtained so far, and is investigating the entire matter.

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