Handonghun on Lee Jaemyung Summons: "Prosecution Will Investigate Fairly and Transparently"

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon and Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Regarding the prosecution's decision to summon Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was accused of making false statements related to the 'Baekhyeon-dong preferential treatment suspicion,' Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon stated, "I believe the prosecution will conduct a fair and transparent investigation."

On the 1st, Minister Han made this remark during a comprehensive policy inquiry at the National Assembly's Budget and Accounts Committee when Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok of the People Power Party urged, "Please conduct a fair and objective investigation without being bound by political or specific purposes."

Regarding the prosecution's summons notice to Lee, Minister Han said, "I saw the reports and received a briefing this morning about the situation," adding, "I cannot comment on the specific charges."

When asked, "In the case of the crime of false statement publication, isn't it necessary to clarify whether the perpetrator was aware that the information was false?" he replied, "Are you speaking in general? Of course."

When Rep. Jang asked again, "Given the nature of the crime of false statement publication, isn't a summons investigation of the suspect generally inevitable?" Minister Han avoided a direct answer, saying, "Since I would have to speak based on a specific case, it is inappropriate to discuss details of ongoing matters."

According to the legal community on the same day, the Public Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Sang-hyun) has notified Lee's side, who was reported for violating the Public Official Election Act, to appear on the 6th.

Earlier, Lee was accused of making false statements regarding the suspicion of preferential treatment in changing the land use of the Baekhyeon-dong Korean Food Research Institute site during the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee's inspection of Gyeonggi Province after being selected as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate on October 20 last year while serving as governor of Gyeonggi Province.

Lee is also accused of making false statements in a broadcast interview about the late Kim Moon-gi, the former head of Development Division 1 at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation and a key figure in the Daejang-dong development project, saying, "He was a subordinate employee, so I did not know during my tenure as mayor."