Lee Jae-myung's Summons Investigation Fails... Prosecution "Regret" vs. Lee's Side "Will Comply with Next Week's Summons Request"

The prosecution investigation of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is accused of third-party bribery in connection with Ssangbangwool Group's 'North Korea remittance' case, was canceled on the 4th. The prosecution expressed regret, and Lee's side stated, "We will respond if summoned next week," indicating that both sides are likely to reschedule the summons soon.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Park Kwang-on, floor leader, are attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the hunger strike tent in front of the National Assembly main building on the 1st. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Suwon District Prosecutors' Office said in the morning, "The suspect investigation procedure was canceled due to Lee's absence," and added, "The prosecution selected dates without parliamentary schedules and requested attendance well in advance, but expresses regret over Lee's consecutive absence twice."

They continued, "Lee's hunger strike is causing difficulties in the suspect investigation. Considering the ongoing investigation, trial, and parliamentary schedules comprehensively, we will proceed with criminal justice procedures and once again urge Lee to comply with the usual suspect attendance and investigation procedures."

On the same day, Kwon Chil-seung, chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party of Korea, told reporters at the National Assembly, "This week, investigation is impossible due to parliamentary schedules," and added, "As announced, we will respond if summoned next week."

Accordingly, the prosecution is expected to request Lee's attendance once more and reschedule the investigation. The most likely period for Lee's attendance is between the 11th and 15th, when there is no plenary session of the National Assembly. However, the power struggle between both sides is expected to continue until the investigation schedule is finalized. The Criminal Division 6 of Suwon District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Young-nam) and Lee's side have clashed multiple times over the summons schedule to avoid losing control. Initially, Lee's side did not respond to the prosecution's summons on the 30th of last month and showed reluctance to the investigation scheduled for the 4th, requested on the 31st. Then, on the 1st, they suddenly notified the prosecution, "We will attend on the 4th, be investigated for only two hours in the morning, and attend again between the 11th and 15th." The prosecution rejected this, stating, "We cannot accept a two-hour investigation and will conduct the full investigation if attendance is made."

As Lee repeatedly refuses the prosecution's summons, some speculate that the prosecution might request an arrest warrant without summoning him for investigation. However, legal circles believe the prosecution will not give up on investigating Lee. The scenario of immediate indictment without investigation is considered unlikely. It seems essential to confirm with Lee himself the details of his involvement in the Ssangbangwool Group's 'North Korea remittance' case, and new circumstances might be uncovered during the investigation. From the prosecution's perspective, it is also necessary to understand Lee's defense arguments in advance through the summons investigation.

The prosecution must reinforce the ongoing investigation into the 'North Korea remittance' case and monitor the trial of former Gyeonggi Province Peace Deputy Governor Lee Hwa-young at Suwon District Court on the 5th. It is crucial whether Lee Hwa-young will mention in court the statement he reportedly made during the prosecution investigation around June, that he reported the Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance case to Lee. If Lee Hwa-young's changed position is confirmed again in court, Lee Jae-myung's charges will become clearer, strengthening the prosecution's summons investigation.

Prosecution [Photo by Yonhap News]

The prosecution officially registered Lee as a suspect last month on charges of 'third-party bribery' related to the North Korea remittance case and is currently investigating. Accordingly, Lee officially became a 'suspect' in this case. The prosecution believes that during his tenure as governor of Gyeonggi Province, Lee was involved in the process where former Ssangbangwool Group Chairman Kim Seong-tae paid $3 million in travel expenses demanded by North Korea for the governor's visit. After reviewing Lee Hwa-young's reversed testimony and materials obtained from searches of Gyeonggi Province and the National Intelligence Service, the prosecution judged that Lee is also liable for third-party bribery.

Meanwhile, Lee must also attend the first trial on the 'Daejang-dong and Wirye New Town development preferential treatment and Seongnam FC sponsorship bribery charges' scheduled at the Seoul Central District Court on the 15th. However, since Lee began an indefinite hunger strike on the 1st, his attendance at the trial has become uncertain. When the court asked at the preparatory hearing on the 1st, "Lee is on a hunger strike; is he able to attend the trial?" Lee's defense attorney replied, "By September 15, his health condition will be very poor, so it is uncertain whether he can attend."

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