Police Book Lee Jeong-hoon, Gangdong-gu Mayor, on Charges of Spousal Assault

Lee Jeong-hoon, Mayor of Gangdong-gu
Photo by Gangdong-gu Office

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[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Lee Jung-hoon (54), the mayor of Gangdong-gu, Seoul, is reportedly under investigation by the police on charges of assaulting his spouse.

According to the police on the 5th, the Songpa Police Station in Seoul has registered Mayor Lee on charges of violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Domestic Violence Crimes and is conducting an investigation.

Mayor Lee is accused of assaulting his wife, Ms. A, by grabbing and twisting her wrist to restrain her actions in the parking lot of an apartment in Songpa-gu around 8:30 p.m. on the 15th of last month. The police reportedly began the investigation after receiving a 112 emergency call from a passerby at the time.

Mayor Lee is also accused of injuring Ms. A by punching her in the face during a conversation in a park in front of an apartment in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, in July of last year. It is reported that the two had an argument related to an issue involving people close to Mayor Lee.

Although a letter of no complaint was reportedly submitted to the police regarding this case, domestic violence cases must be forwarded to the prosecution regardless of whether such a letter is submitted, according to relevant laws. The police are currently reviewing whether to forward the case as a general criminal case or to recommend handling it as a family protection case.

A police official stated, "We plan to proceed with the investigation according to the relevant procedures and then forward the case to the prosecution."

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