Investigation of Lee Jae-myung's Eldest Son's Illegal Gambling Allegations by Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, bows his head after apologizing for his son's gambling allegations following the launch ceremony of the Social Transition Committee held at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 16th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency has decided to investigate the accusation case related to illegal gambling allegations against Lee Mo, the eldest son of Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea.

According to the police on the 17th, the Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency has initiated an investigation into the accusation case, considering Lee's address in accordance with the procedure for handling accusation cases. The previous day, the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute (Gaseyeon) had filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency accusing Lee of habitual gambling, violation of the Act on the Promotion of the Game Industry, and violation of the National Sports Promotion Act.

Attorney Kang Yong-seok of Gaseyeon stated on his Facebook, "The Lee Jae-myung candidate's election campaign committee admitted that Lee posted reviews about massage establishments but denied involvement in prostitution," and announced that they would file a complaint citing Article 20, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 3 of the Act on the Punishment of Acts Relating to Prostitution, which punishes those who encourage the purchase of sexual services.

Attorney Kang added, "Regardless of whether Lee engaged in prostitution, the act of posting reviews about the establishments can be punished as an act of encouraging the purchase of sexual services," and noted that some content in the posts and comments violates the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes, and that Lee would be accused on these charges as well.

Meanwhile, candidate Lee responded to the controversy by saying, "I sincerely apologize, as a father, along with my son, to those who may have been disappointed by my son's regrettable behavior," and added, "If there are grounds for criminal punishment, I will certainly take responsibility."