'Lee Jae-myung Seongnam FC Bribery Allegation'... Kim Jin-tae, "Feels Like the Puzzle Is Coming Together"

Doosan Group Hospital Site Changed to Commercial Land... Suspected Development Profits Worth Thousands of Billions
Lee Jae-myung 'Seongnam FC Suspicion' Closure Opposed by Deputy Prosecutor, Suddenly Resigns

Kim Jin-tae, Chairman of the Special Committee for Public Verification of Lee Jae-myung's Corruption, People Power Party, Twitter capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Amid allegations that Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, gave preferential treatment to Doosan Construction during his tenure as mayor of Seongnam, Kim Jin-tae, the Special Chairman for Public Verification of Lee Jae-myung's Corruption from the People Power Party (Chairman of the Chuncheon Gap Party Committee), has called for an immediate investigation by the prosecution.

On the 25th, Kim cited media reports on SNS, stating, "It has been reported that Doosan Construction gained development profits worth several hundred billion won by building a new headquarters in Jeongja-dong, Bundang," and added, "Lee Jae-myung, then mayor of Seongnam, changed the hospital site to commercial land use in 2015."

He continued, "Doosan Construction reportedly sponsored 4.2 billion won to the Seongnam Citizens Professional Football Club (FC), of which Lee Jae-myung was the club owner, starting in 2015," and expressed suspicion about the relationship between the candidate and Doosan Construction, saying, "It feels like the puzzle pieces are coming together."

Kim pointed out, "If there is a quid pro quo relationship here, the crime of bribery involving a third party could be established," and added, "One criterion for this judgment is whether the fairness of official duties is called into question (Supreme Court 2001Do970). This is a situation that can reasonably raise suspicion and can also be considered an implicit request."

He particularly criticized, "Would they have sponsored 4.2 billion won if they had not gained benefits such as land use changes? For reference, last year, the total sponsorship amount for Seongnam FC was only 900 million won."

Kim also stated, "This is not all. There are allegations that Seongnam FC received a total of 16.5 billion won in sponsorships from interested companies," and urged, "Since it was already reported for third-party bribery in 2018, the prosecution should no longer delay and immediately investigate."

He recalled Lee's remarks, saying, "No wonder candidate Lee Jae-myung said he would go to jail if he loses the presidential election."

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Doosan Construction violated key terms of the 'Agreement for the Construction and Relocation of the Jeongja-dong Doosan Headquarters' signed with Seongnam City by selling part of the building's shares, but Lee, during his tenure as mayor, did not take any special measures.

This has led to growing suspicions directed at the candidate, with many saying, "There is strong evidence that Lee deliberately overlooked Doosan Construction's breach of the agreement."

Kim Ki-hyun, the floor leader of the People Power Party, has called for the introduction of a special prosecutor regarding the preferential treatment allegations involving Doosan Group during Lee Jae-myung's time as mayor of Seongnam.

The Democratic Party's election committee issued a statement strongly protesting the reports that the candidate gave massive development profits to large corporations through land use changes at that time.

Meanwhile, an unusual resignation of a sitting deputy prosecutor occurred the day before the recent prosecution personnel reshuffle, further intensifying suspicions.