People Power Party Lawmakers Protest at National Police Agency Over Lee Yonggu Investigation: "No Scapegoating, All Responsible Must Be Held Accountable" (Comprehensive)

Park Wansu, the floor leader of the People Power Party on the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee (center), along with lawmakers Seo Beomsu and Kim Hyeongdong, visited the National Police Agency on the afternoon of the 7th to protest and express their position regarding allegations of investigation suppression involving former Deputy Minister of Justice Lee Yonggu. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy, reporter Lee Gwanju] Lawmakers from the People Power Party on the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee visited the National Police Agency on the afternoon of June 7 to protest over allegations of a botched investigation into the "taxi driver assault case" involving former Deputy Minister of Justice Lee Yonggu.

Park Wansu, the floor leader of the People Power Party on the committee, along with lawmakers Seo Beomsu and Kim Hyeongdong, met with reporters after their meeting with Commissioner General Kim Changryong and emphasized, "The facts must be made absolutely clear."

They stated, "Although the Commissioner General claims he was not briefed on the case, it is hard to accept this explanation considering that at the time, Lee was a leading candidate for the head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). We will first wait for the results of the fact-finding investigation."

In particular, regarding the fact that only three officers from Seoul Seocho Police Station-the investigator in charge, the department head, and the team leader-were booked on charges of dereliction of duty, they argued, "This should not become a scapegoating situation," and insisted that "all those responsible should be thoroughly investigated." They also relayed that Commissioner General Kim stated, "If the fact-finding investigation reveals areas for which I am responsible, I will take responsibility."

The People Power Party lawmakers on the Public Administration and Security Committee issued a statement on this day, demanding Commissioner General Kim’s resignation and the appointment of a special prosecutor, and visited the National Police Agency to protest.

This was the second protest visit by People Power Party lawmakers to the National Police Agency regarding former Deputy Minister Lee. On December 21 last year, Park Wansu, Seo Beomsu, and Choi Chunsik, another committee member from the same party, also visited the agency to call for a thorough investigation.