[2021 National Audit] Kim Oh-soo: "'Daejang-dong Suspicion'... Lee Jae-myung Also Subject to Investigation"

Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo is taking the witness oath at the National Assembly's inspection of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office held on the 18th at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Prosecutor General Kim Osu stated that Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung is also a subject of investigation in relation to the 'Daejang-dong scandal' probe. This was Kim's first appearance at the National Assembly inspection since his appointment in June.

On the 18th, Kim appeared at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee inspection held at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, from 10 a.m. When asked by Jeon Juhye of the People Power Party whether Governor Lee is also a subject of investigation in the Daejang-dong scandal case, Kim replied, "Since he has been reported, he is indeed a subject of investigation."

Regarding Jin's suspicion that "the Supreme Prosecutors' Office was informed and approved in advance about excluding the mayor's office and secretariat during the search of Seongnam City Hall," Kim emphasized, "That is completely untrue," and added, "I instructed that the Daejang-dong scandal be investigated without any sanctuary."

When asked whether an arrest warrant would be immediately requested for lawyer Nam Wook, who returned to the country and was detained that day, Kim responded, "It is difficult to comment on the investigation status," and said, "Since he has arrived, please watch the situation."

In response to criticism that "the investigation team seems to lack the will to investigate," Kim said, "I formed the investigation team and instructed them to investigate all related parties without any sanctuary," adding, "It has only been about 20 days since the team was formed on the 28th of last month. The investigation team has been working day and night every day except for one."

He continued, "The investigation team's will is clear, and they are doing their best. They will work even harder going forward, so please watch closely."

Regarding questions from Lee Sujin of the Democratic Party about his appointment as a legal advisor to Seongnam City from December last year to May, Kim said, "My (legal advisor) activities have nothing to do with the Daejang-dong case," and "I was dismissed from the legal advisor position immediately after being appointed as Prosecutor General." He also repeatedly explained, "I was the first to report the (Daejang-dong) case and directly ordered the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office to investigate it, emphasizing repeatedly that the investigation should be thorough without any sanctuary, including Seongnam City Hall. I also stressed this point to senior officials at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office meetings."