Representative Lee Jae-myung's Appearance on the 4th Also Unlikely... Prosecution Says "Cannot Accept 2-Hour Investigation"

"Attendance at Afternoon National Assembly Schedule Unavoidable" vs "Prepared to Conduct Full Investigation"
Prosecution "Expect Cooperation with Standard Criminal Justice Procedures"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea and a suspect in bribery charges related to the Ssangbangwool Group's 'illegal remittance to North Korea' case, appeared at the prosecution on the 4th and conveyed his intention to be investigated for only two hours in the morning. However, the prosecution stated that this was 'unacceptable.'

On the 1st, a Suwon District Prosecutors' Office official said, "Yesterday, we once again requested Lee Jae-myung's legal counsel to appear on the 4th, when there is no National Assembly plenary session schedule, for investigation. However, the counsel informed us that 'appearance on the 4th is not possible, and he will appear between the 11th and 15th.'

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held in the hunger strike tent in front of the National Assembly main building on the 1st. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The official added, "Lee Jae-myung's counsel contacted the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office investigation team this morning and, contrary to their previous position, notified that 'he will appear on the 4th and be investigated for only two hours in the morning, but cannot be further investigated in the afternoon due to National Assembly schedules, and the remaining investigation will be conducted between the 11th and 15th.' Suwon District Prosecutors' Office initially set the investigation date for the 30th of last month and requested his appearance, but due to Lee Jae-myung's refusal, we requested again for the 4th. However, we cannot stop the investigation after only two hours on the morning of the 4th and have informed the counsel that the full prepared investigation will proceed. We expect him to comply with the usual criminal justice procedures regarding a suspect's appearance and investigation," he said.

Earlier that morning, Kang Sun-woo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, met with reporters at the National Assembly and said, "Lee has reaffirmed his determination to carry out his duties normally even while undertaking a hunger strike with a resolve of life or death," adding, "He repeatedly expressed his willingness to face the prosecution's investigation with confidence."

He said, "Lee will appear on the 4th as insisted by the prosecution. However, considering the unadjustable schedule, the first investigation will be conducted in the morning on the 4th, and additional investigations will be arranged in consultation with the prosecution during the following week."

Spokesperson Kang also stated, "If coordinated with the prosecution, Lee will hold the Supreme Council meeting on the same day and then immediately appear at the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office. He plans to finish the morning investigation on the 4th and depart at an appropriate time to attend the International Joint Conference to Withdraw Fukushima Contaminated Water Ocean Dumping at 2:30 PM."

Tensions have continued between the prosecution and Lee's side over the schedule for Lee's fifth summons for investigation since his presidential election defeat.

Previously, Lee was requested by the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Criminal Division 6 (Chief Prosecutor Kim Young-nam) on the 23rd of last month to appear on the 30th of the same month. Lee expressed willingness to appear on the 24th or 26th but was rejected by the prosecution.

Lee's side refused to appear on the 30th and notified that he would appear between September 11th and 15th, but the prosecution requested appearance on September 4th on the 28th of last month. Although Lee's side initially stated that appearance on the 4th was impossible, they later changed their position to agree to appear on the 4th but only be investigated for two hours in the morning. The prosecution, however, stated that it was difficult to accept such a request. As a result, unless Lee's side reverses their stance on attending the afternoon schedule on the 4th, it is practically difficult for him to appear on that day.

The Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance suspicion involves former Ssangbangwool Group Chairman Kim Sung-tae sending a total of 8 million dollars to North Korea in 2019. This includes 5 million dollars for a North Korean smart farm support project that Gyeonggi Province was supposed to fund at the request of former Gyeonggi Peace Deputy Governor Lee Hwa-young, and 3 million dollars for the then-Governor Lee Jae-myung's visit to North Korea, which was demanded by the North Korean side. The prosecution recently booked Lee on charges of bribery as a third party, believing he was involved in Ssangbangwool's payment on behalf of others at the time.

Lee Hwa-young, who was arrested and indicted on charges of receiving bribes and political funds from former Chairman Kim, had denied the Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance suspicion but partially reversed his statement during the prosecution's investigation in June, saying, "I requested Ssangbangwool to promote the governor's visit to North Korea."

He also reportedly testified, "At that time, I reported to Lee that 'Ssangbangwool spent money in North Korea while doing business, so I think they also took care of (the governor's visit).'"

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