Lee Seong-yoon, Vows to Reveal Truth in Trial Without Declaring Position... Rejects Resignation Demands

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Lee Seong-yoon, the chief prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, who was indicted on charges of exerting external pressure in the investigation of former Deputy Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui's illegal travel ban, has stated his intention to prove his innocence in court. This effectively rejects calls for his voluntary resignation from those around him, suggesting that the controversy over his position is likely to continue.

The Suwon District Prosecutors' Office investigation team (led by Lee Jung-seop, Head of Criminal Division 3) indicted Lee without detention on the charge of abuse of authority on the 12th.

Lee is suspected of blocking the investigation when the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Anyang Branch attempted to investigate the illegal travel ban on former Deputy Minister Kim in 2019, claiming that "the travel ban was lawfully carried out." The investigation team applied the charge of abuse of authority and referred him to trial.

Accordingly, Lee became the first chief prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in the history of our constitutional government to be in the position of a defendant.

Voices demanding his resignation are growing louder in the legal and political circles.

Baek Hye-ryun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "He needs to decide (his position) on his own." Baek is the first from the ruling party leadership to mention the necessity of Lee's voluntary resignation.

Seok Dong-hyun, a lawyer and former chief prosecutor (15th Judicial Research and Training Institute), wrote on his social media service (SNS) Facebook that "(The indictment) may be truly difficult for him to accept and may feel unfair. However, just as he held that position with people's admiration, that is also a matter of fate." He emphasized, "From the standpoint of a senior official with over 20 years of public service, once indicted, it is appropriate and the last act of decency for him to voluntarily retire from public office or at least stop coming to work and consider himself on leave until he is transferred to a non-investigative department."

Contrary to this atmosphere, Lee has not made any particular statement regarding his position. He took a leave of absence for personal reasons and did not come to work that day.

In a statement released immediately after the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office's indictment, he only expressed his intention to restore his honor through the trial. The legal community interprets this as effectively entering a 'holding pattern.'

Lee said, "As the head of the Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, I have never committed any illegal acts such as exerting pressure on investigations at that time." He added, "I will sincerely participate in the upcoming trial process to reveal the truth and ensure that the honor of the Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office is restored."