Lee Hae-chan "Where Are the Prosecutors Who Caused the President's Death?" Celebrates Passage of the Corruption Investigation Office Act

On the afternoon of the 15th, Lee Hae-chan, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea and the 4th chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, participated in a special discussion titled "Chairmen's Special Talk" on the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's YouTube channel, criticizing the prosecution. Photo by Roh Moo-hyun Foundation YouTube capture

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[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Former Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan evaluated the Democratic Party and the ruling coalition, which passed the amendment to the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HOCI) Act on the 15th, saying, "They showed what the power of 180 seats means." He also mentioned the late former President Roh Moo-hyun and criticized the prosecutors who investigated at that time.

The Roh Moo-hyun Foundation held a special broadcast for the '2020 Supporters' Day' on its YouTube channel that afternoon. The broadcast featured a discussion moderated by Chairman Yoo Si-min, with participation from former Democratic Party leader and former chairman Lee Hae-chan, former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook, and former Presidential Secretary Lee Byung-wan.

In the discussion, former leader Lee criticized the behavior of the prosecution regarding the passage of the HOCI Act amendment. Especially concerning the disciplinary action against Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, he said, "It seems the witness examination is all over," adding, "I don't know if the decision will be made today or postponed again, but once concluded, two pillars (the disciplinary committee and HOCI) for prosecutorial reform will be established." In relation to this, the Ministry of Justice's Prosecutor Disciplinary Committee acknowledged the charges against Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl in the early hours of the 16th and imposed a two-month suspension.

Former leader Lee also voiced criticism toward the prosecution, which investigated allegations against prosecutors who received 'drinking entertainment' from Kim Bong-hyun, former chairman of Star Mobility and a key figure in the recent Lime Asset Management scandal, but decided not to indict some of the prosecutors.

Satirical poster regarding the non-prosecution of the prosecutor suspected of alcohol hospitality. Photo by online community

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Former leader Lee said, "Although I have been in politics for a long time, this is the first time I have seen the prosecution's true face so thoroughly," criticizing, "Where else is there such a bizarre indictment and accusation that receiving a 960,000 won drinking entertainment is not considered entertainment and therefore not punishable, but it has to exceed 1 million won?"

He then emphasized the significance of the passage of the HOCI Act amendment by mentioning the prosecutors who investigated former President Roh Moo-hyun. Former leader Lee said, "Looking back, the prosecutors who investigated (President Roh) at the time of his death neither claimed responsibility for the investigation nor is anyone aware of their whereabouts," criticizing them. He added, "History teaches us that history that never gives up achieves great accomplishments," attributing meaning to the launch of HOCI.

Former President Roh Moo-hyun arrived at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on April 30, 2009, and briefly responded to reporters' questions. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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Former Prime Minister Han also mentioned the hardships she endured while being investigated for bribery allegations. Han said, "Not long after I became chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, the incident of 'money placed on a chair' occurred," adding, "While working at the foundation, suddenly prosecutors said they would come to arrest me, and when the news came out, supporters came to the foundation, surrounded me, and protected me."

Former Prime Minister Han also spoke about future tasks for the pro-Roh faction. She emphasized, "It would be good to succeed (the administration) for a considerable period. That should be our goal."

She continued, "Democracy developed during Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun's administrations, and if those 10 years (the democratic government) institutionally secured democracy, the following 10 years (Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations) destroyed and severed it," adding, "How to succeed and develop it (is important)."

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