Im Jong-seok's Stern Criticism of "Planned Investigation"... Prosecution to Decide on Judicial Action After General Election

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[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Former Presidential Chief of Staff Lim Jong-seok, who is suspected of interfering in the June 13, 2018 local elections, appeared at the prosecution on the 30th as a suspect and is currently under investigation. This is the first time Lim has been questioned by the prosecution.

Lim arrived at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul at 10:04 a.m. and stood at the photo line, delivering a statement for over three minutes. When reporters asked questions, he replied, "I will speak after the investigation is over," refusing to answer. The approximately three-minute-long statement at the photo line is unusually lengthy compared to statements made by others summoned for investigations into the three major scandals of the administration. The day before, Lim also posted a critical statement about the prosecution on his Facebook page.

Lim's statement at the photo line on this day was similar in content to his Facebook post the previous day but much stronger in tone. He said, "I believe the prosecution had a clear purpose when transferring the case that they had ignored for one year and eight months in Ulsan." He added, "Due to the nature of their work, the prosecution must exercise their authority with more caution and restraint than any other institution, as their actions can shake a person's life and family to the core." He questioned, "Can you really prove that I interfered in the Ulsan local election? If you cannot prove it, then will someone reflect, apologize, and take responsibility?"

Lim also addressed the prosecution, saying, "I am the strongest, the best; anyone can be indicted with a warrant. Please don't do that, and I hope you painfully reflect on why the public's trust in the prosecution is slipping through your fingers today."

The Public Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Tae-eun) is verifying all the allegations raised so far, including what role Lim played in helping Song Cheol-ho, a friend of the president and mayor of Ulsan, win the 2018 local election. It is known that during the investigation of Song's close aide, former Ulsan Deputy Mayor Song Byung-gi, the prosecution secured a work notebook containing notes that "Lim requested Song's candidacy on behalf of the president."

Lim is also suspected of interfering in the Democratic Party's primary process. Former Democratic Party Supreme Council member Lim Dong-ho and lawyer Shim Kyu-myung were also prospective candidates, but the Democratic Party nominated Mayor Song without a primary. Lim is suspected of offering public office positions, such as a public corporation president, to former Supreme Council member Lim as a reward for withdrawing from the primary, along with former Blue House Political Secretary Han Byung-do. In previous investigations, former Supreme Council member Lim revealed that during a drinking session with Lim and Han, discussions were held about offers for positions including the Consul General in Osaka, Japan. Han, Mayor Song, former Deputy Mayor Song, former Ulsan Police Chief Hwang Un-ha, and 13 others were indicted the day before on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act.

The prosecution is reportedly planning to decide on judicial action against Lim, who was investigated on this day, and other related figures such as Blue House Civil Affairs Secretary Lee Kwang-chul, who was first questioned the day before, after the April general elections, considering the potential impact on the elections.

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