Prosecutor-Turned-Opposition Lawmaker Says "No Evidence"... Democratic Party Urges Lee Jae-myung to Stop Hunger Strike

Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop's Resignation Sparks Calls for "Special Prosecutor to Hold Accountable"
"Not the Stage to Discuss Vote on Arrest Motion for Lee Jae-myung"

Kim Hoe-jae, a former chief prosecutor known as the "flower of prosecutors," and a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, confessed on the 12th about inadequate investigations during his time as a prosecutor and criticized the prosecution's investigation targeting Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader.

At an emergency party meeting of the Democratic Party that day, Rep. Kim said, "There was a time when I confidently told first-term lawmakers that prosecutors had many advantages over them, but regarding some prosecutors, I think I have to take back those words," expressing his complex feelings while observing the prosecution's investigation into Lee.

He shared an anecdote from his time at the Central Investigation Division of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, involving a bribery case where, after obtaining a confession and indictment, he met the suspect several years later. The suspect reportedly said, "The amount of money I gave was lower than the amount charged, but the prosecutor kept pressing me about that amount, so I had no choice but to inflate the amount in my confession."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is continuing his 13th day of hunger strike, is sitting in front of the main building of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 11th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Rep. Kim stated, "Prosecutors believe that if they pressure and persistently interrogate, the truth will inevitably come out, but that may not be the case," adding, "Falsehoods can emerge." He continued, "I spoke with the lawyer handling Lee's investigation and concluded that there is no evidence. I think the prosecution cannot present or fabricate evidence," and said, "Ultimately, this is a case that relies on testimony, and since there is no testimony, they have been making a fuss for a year and a half."

Earlier, on the 30th of last month, Rep. Kim questioned Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon during a plenary session of the National Assembly's Budget and Accounts Special Committee about the Democratic Party's party convention money envelope allegations, asking, "Is there evidence?" He recalled Han's response, "Among 20 people, weren't you included?" Rep. Kim pointed out, "When the minister says this, the prosecutors below have to create the case," and criticized, "If there is no evidence, the investigation should be stopped, but the prosecution keeps the case to fabricate evidence." He added, "After experiencing that case, I thought that if the prosecution makes a mistake, like how the Special Investigation Division of the Donggyeong District Prosecutors' Office completely collapsed, the prosecution will completely lose credibility through this case."

The Democratic Party expressed concern about the health of Lee Jae-myung, who has been on a hunger strike for 13 days, and agreed to convey the opinion that he should stop fasting. They also strongly criticized the prosecution for notifying Lee of a re-summons.

Kim Han-gyu, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, told reporters after the party meeting, "Since the party leader's hunger strike has entered its 13th day, continuing it is very dangerous. There was talk about gathering opinions to ask him to stop," adding, "The leadership will discuss specific details and convey the wishes of the lawmakers to the party leader."

Kim also said, "Many shared concerns about the problems with the prosecution's investigation and Lee's hunger strike during today's meeting." In fact, during the open remarks at the meeting, floor leader Park Kwang-on said, "The prosecution's repeated summons of the leader of the main opposition party on a hunger strike is something we have never seen before," and pointed out, "Regardless of the charges against Lee, many citizens view the prosecution's behavior as excessive."

Secretary-General Cho Jung-sik also condemned the prosecution, saying, "Summoning the opposition leader during a hunger strike is unprecedented, and to summon Lee again on the 13th day of his hunger strike, when he is barely able to stand, is beyond humiliation?it's a cruel and vicious judicial atrocity by the 'Yoon Seok-yeol political prosecutors.'"

Cho added, "In the past, the ruling party at least pretended to worry when the opposition leader went on a hunger strike, but now they are only covering it with mockery and criticism. It is truly shocking and heartbreaking."

When asked whether the issue of the vote on the arrest warrant for Lee was discussed, Kim said, "That was not discussed. The party's position is that discussing the arrest warrant itself is inappropriate," and dismissed, "It is not proper to talk about what comes next based on the prosecution's indictment."

Regarding Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop's resignation offer to the presidential office, the Democratic Party stated that the resignation alone is insufficient. Kim said, "There was external pressure in the investigation of Corporal Chae's case, and the truth must be uncovered. Those responsible, including the Defense Minister, need to apologize and be held accountable," emphasizing, "Simply resigning is not enough; it cannot be resolved by a simple replacement." He added, "Even if the Defense Minister is replaced, we plan to pursue accountability for external pressure through a special prosecutor law."

The Democratic Party plans to continue related discussions about Minister Lee at the party meeting on the 14th. They also mentioned that discussions on restoring educational authority and election law reforms are scheduled. Regarding election law reform, they explained, "At the last party meeting, the party's position on the single-member district system was established, but no specific plans regarding proportional representation were discussed. Those matters were left to the negotiation team and the floor deputy leaders," adding, "We need to check the progress and discuss the lawmakers' positions."

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