Lee Soo-jung: "I thought the CCTV of the Lee Jae-myung suspect whistleblower was strange... It needs to be thoroughly investigated"

"Autopsy Results Coming Out This Quickly Is Rarely Seen"

Mr. Lee returning to the motel after going out, climbing the stairs while holding onto the railing with his hand. Photo by JTBC

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Professor Lee Soo-jung of the Department of Criminal Psychology at Kyonggi University raised questions about the death of Mr. Lee (54), the first whistleblower of the 'Attorney Fee Payment Suspicion' involving Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, who was recently found dead at a motel in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, and urged for a "thorough investigation."

On the 13th, Professor Lee appeared on CBS Radio's 'One Match' and said about Mr. Lee's death, "I think a thorough investigation is necessary. At the moment, it does not seem to be an extreme choice, and even if it were, the signs of homicide are unclear, which is certain."

He said, "The police announced that the aorta was dissected and the artery ruptured due to a heart disease," adding, "I searched for diseases where the heart swells and arteries rupture. Of course, there are heart diseases. It could be due to a very old heart condition, probably starting from hypertension and progressing over several years."

He continued, "There are two other reasons: one is trauma, and the other is drugs," and pointed out, "Besides the reason why the police announced this so quickly, a conclusion cannot be drawn without blood tests, drug tests, or detailed autopsy results. I am curious why they are making a conclusion as if it is confirmed in advance."

Professor Lee also said, "I have rarely seen autopsy results come out so quickly," and added, "There is CCTV footage taken on the morning of the 8th, showing Mr. Lee's last moments. It seems there was a CCTV in the corridor just before entering the motel room."

He added, "Since the room has a glass window, a detailed investigation is needed regarding that as well. I am not necessarily suggesting the possibility of homicide, but there can be lingering questions."

Professor Lee Su-jeong, Department of Criminal Psychology, Kyonggi University.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

When Kim Seong-hoe, spokesperson for the Open Democratic Party, who appeared together, said, "The police said there was no sign of external intrusion," Professor Lee responded, "I think they can say that as much as they want." He then raised doubts, saying, "But I found the CCTV quite strange. Usually, when a person buys something and goes up the stairs, they slam the door shut. But the door opened and closed again after about 2 seconds. Then, after about 1 second, the door opened and closed again. The door did not open fully but just a little bit outside..."

He said, "(The door) might not have been closed tightly and was being closed again. Another curiosity is that much later, probably after the body was found, there is footage of the police going up for the first time. Interestingly, clothes were caught on the door, and part of the jumper was stuck on the upper part of the door. Usually, if a person enters the room, takes off their clothes, and hangs them on a hanger, assuming there is a hook on the door, they would hang it properly. Then the jumper would not be stuck awkwardly like that. This is purely my own curiosity."

Professor Lee said, "What I am saying is that the results came out too quickly. Investigate thoroughly," and urged, "The bereaved families are expressing their grievances. Then the police should investigate this part more sincerely. Please investigate accurately and thoroughly."

When the host asked, "Although it is an aortic rupture, do you still consider the possibility of suicide?" Professor Lee replied, "I don't know. That's why I say an investigation is needed."

Earlier, on the 11th, Mr. Lee, the representative of a civic group who first reported the 'Attorney Fee Payment Suspicion' involving candidate Lee, was found dead at a motel in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul.

Mr. Lee was the person who, in 2018, reported to the pro-Moon Jae-in group 'Awakened Citizens Solidarity Party' a related recording, claiming that candidate Lee gave 2 billion won in cash and stocks as fees to a lawyer appointed for a public election law violation case.

The police who conducted the autopsy on Mr. Lee announced a preliminary opinion that homicide and extreme choice were unlikely. A police official stated, "The autopsy found no unusual external injuries that could have caused death throughout the body," and "The verbal opinion from the National Forensic Service autopsy is that death is presumed due to aortic dissection and rupture."