Death of Lee Nak-yeon's Close Associate... Opposition Demands "Democratic Party and Prosecution Reveal Cause of Death"

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the joint meeting of the standing committee secretaries on future legislative tasks held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 3rd. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Amid the discovery of Lee, a deputy chief in the office of Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, found dead, the Democratic Party has begun investigating the facts related to the circumstances of his death. The People Power Party has called on the Democratic Party and the prosecution to clarify the details and procedures surrounding Lee's death during the prosecution investigation.

Lee was found dead near the Seoul Central District Court on the 3rd while undergoing prosecution investigation over allegations of support for the rental fees of an Optimus multifunction printer.

Upon hearing the news of Lee's death, Democratic Party lawmaker Oh Young-hoon sent a text notice to the press corps that day, stating, "According to confirmation, the deceased made a final phone call to his wife during a break for dinner on December 2nd during the summons investigation, after which contact was lost," and added, "We pray for the deceased's soul and offer deep condolences to the bereaved family."

In this regard, the People Power Party urged on the 4th, "The Democratic Party and the prosecution must clearly disclose the details and procedures so that the public can understand why such an unfortunate incident occurred."

People Power Party spokesperson Bae Jun-young said in a statement that day, "We pray for the deceased's soul and extend deep condolences to the bereaved family," but also pointed out, "There is inevitably public suspicion about the reasons why such a tragedy occurred."

Spokesperson Bae emphasized, "The prosecution stated that the investigation of the deceased was conducted, and this tragedy occurred before the resumption of the prosecution investigation," adding, "Revealing the truth in detail is the responsibility of those left behind."

Earlier, the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission filed a complaint with the prosecution on November 29 against Lee and two related persons from Optimus on charges of violating the Political Funds Act.

Lee is accused of receiving support for the rental fees of a multifunction printer at the election office of Lee Nak-yeon, who ran in the Jongno district in the April general election, from 'Trust All,' a company related to Optimus.

At the time, Lee Nak-yeon's side explained, "The multifunction printer was borrowed through an acquaintance of the staff due to initial needs. We learned for the first time through reports that it was related to Trust All."

Meanwhile, Lee had formed a connection as a secretary managing the constituency when Lee Nak-yeon was a member of the National Assembly representing the Jeonnam region. Later, in December 2015, then Jeonnam Governor Lee Nak-yeon appointed Lee as a political special advisor.

After Lee Nak-yeon became Prime Minister and Lee stepped back from frontline duties, he was in charge of organizational work at the Jongno election office from the April general election.

After Lee Nak-yeon was elected party leader at the Democratic Party convention in August, Lee served as deputy chief of the secretariat in the leader's office.