Prosecutors Summon Lee Gwang-cheol Over 'Ordered Investigation' Allegations... Im Jong-seok to Appear Tomorrow

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The prosecution investigating allegations of the Blue House and police's interference in the Ulsan local elections and directed investigations is summoning Lee Gwang-cheol, the Blue House Secretary for Civil Affairs, for questioning on the 29th.

The Public Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Tae-eun) summoned Secretary Lee on the morning of the 29th as a suspect. Before appearing at the prosecution, Secretary Lee met with reporters and explained, "I explicitly stated my position regarding the summons by sending registered mail to the prosecution twice, on January 13 and 17," addressing media reports that he had not responded to the prosecution's summons.

Secretary Lee also said, "I think anyone would understand that the claim that I turned off my mobile phone to avoid calls from the prosecution is unreasonable," adding, "I am very curious about who and for what reason is leaking only half-truths about me."

Secretary Lee is suspected of exerting influence by being involved in the production and transfer of intelligence related to Kim Gi-hyeon, former Ulsan mayor's aide, while serving as a senior administrative officer in the Civil Affairs Secretary's Office during the 2018 Ulsan mayoral election.

The prosecution suspects that Secretary Lee was involved in the process where Song Byung-gi, former Ulsan Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs, reported corruption intelligence related to Kim's aide to the Blue House, and the Blue House transferred the case to the police. It is also known that the prosecution named Secretary Lee as an accomplice in violation of the Public Official Election Act in the arrest warrant request for former Deputy Mayor Song.

Im Jong-seok, former Chief of the Presidential Secretariat, who had delayed appearing before the prosecution, announced on the 29th that he will appear on the 30th. Through his SNS on the morning of the 29th, Im said, "I will appear before the prosecution as a suspect tomorrow (the 30th) morning," and "I have decided to disclose all the processes of this case." Im was previously suspected of urging Im Dong-ho, former Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party and a rival in the party primary against Mayor Song, to withdraw from the primary.

The prosecution also planned to summon Song Cheol-ho, Ulsan mayor, on the same day, but it is reported that Mayor Song's side informed the prosecution that he would not attend due to health reasons. Mayor Song appeared before the prosecution for the first time on the 20th and was questioned for 12 hours.