Lee Myung-su, Reported by First Lady Kim Geon-hee, Submits Recording Transcript... Will It Affect Other Investigations?

Submitted to Seoul Cheong Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit on the 5th
Contains 3 hours of election-related lectures at Kobana Contents office
May influence the complaint against Mrs. Kim for Public Official Election Act violation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] Lee Myeong-su, a reporter from Seoul Voice who was reported after handing over a recorded phone call with First Lady Kim Geon-hee to a broadcasting company, has submitted the transcript to the police. Since the recording is related to the accusation of First Lady Kim’s violation of the Public Official Election Act, it is expected to influence the related investigation.

On the 5th, Lee’s side submitted a USB containing the transcript to the Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. The submission is related to the case in which Lee was reported by the People Power Party. In January, the People Power Party accused Lee and others of violating the Public Official Election Act and the Protection of Communications Secrets Act for providing illegally recorded phone calls to the media. On the 4th, the police summoned Lee for an accused person investigation.

The transcript submitted by Lee’s side is about three hours long and contains a lecture Lee gave to First Lady Kim’s side as well as private conversations after the lecture. It is reported that around late July last year, First Lady Kim asked Lee for a lecture related to the election ahead of the People Power Party’s presidential primary. Accordingly, on August 30 of the same year, Lee gave a lecture to five people including First Lady Kim at the Cobana Contents office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on topics such as media promotion and image strategy for candidate Yoon’s couple and responses to press coverage. The transcript also includes content that appears to show First Lady Kim handing Lee an envelope containing 1.05 million won after the lecture.

Lee’s side explained that the transcript was submitted to prove that Lee did not violate the Protection of Communications Secrets Act. The police are focusing on whether Lee participated in the conversation or intentionally recorded for a significant amount of time while absent, even if he secretly recorded. Through the transcript, it can be demonstrated that Lee participated in the conversation and recorded only during that occasion.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The transcript is also expected to influence the investigation of the Public Official Election Act accusation related to First Lady Kim. Based on the transcript, if the office where the lecture was held is not regarded as a legitimate election office but as a place where election-related lectures were held and money or entertainment was provided to an active journalist, it could be seen as a violation of Article 97 of the Public Official Election Act. On the other hand, if the office is considered an election countermeasure organization, the lecture could be lawful under Article 112, Paragraph 2 of the same law.

In February, civic groups reported to the police that First Lady Kim violated the Public Official Election Act based on the facts that she gave Lee 1.05 million won after the lecture and that she suggested 100 million won while urging to work in support of then-candidate Yoon Seok-youl.

Ryu Jae-yul, Lee’s legal representative, stated, “Since the transcript contains many sensitive details including the appearance of First Lady Kim, it is believed that it could have ripple effects on other investigations related to her.”