Former Deputy Secretary-General of the Democratic Party Lee Jeong-geun, who is accused of receiving a large sum of money from a businessman in exchange for favors, is attending a pre-trial detention hearing at the Seoul Central District Court on the morning of the 30th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Former Democratic Party Deputy Secretary-General Lee Jeong-geun, who is accused of receiving a large sum of money from a businessman as a bribe for various favors, is at a crossroads regarding detention.
At 10 a.m. on the 30th, Judge Kim Sang-woo, in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, conducted a pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant substantive examination) for Lee, who is charged with bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and violations of the Political Funds Act. Lee arrived at the court around 9:40 a.m. for the detention hearing.
He told reporters, "I will clearly explain my grievances (in court)," and when asked if he admitted to the bribery allegations, he answered "Yes." When asked if he received money under the pretext of personnel recommendations, he replied, "No." Lee's detention decision is expected to be made late tonight.
On the 27th, the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Young-cheol) requested a pre-arrest warrant for Lee. The prosecution plans to secure Lee's custody to further investigate whether the favors were actually granted and any connections with key figures from the previous administration.
Previously, Lee is accused of receiving 950 million won in multiple installments from businessman Park, under the pretext of arranging favors such as government subsidy allocations, permits related to mask businesses, public institution supply contracts, and promotions of executives at Korea South Power from December 2019 to January of this year (charges of bribery and violation of the Attorney-at-Law Act).
He is also charged with receiving 330 million won from Park as election expenses during the 21st general election from February to April 2020 (violation of the Political Funds Act). The prosecution estimates the total amount received, including overlapping funds for favors and election expenses, to be 1.01 billion won.
Lee has denied the charges, claiming that he borrowed money urgently from Park and repaid it, asserting that the funds were not illegal.
Separately, Lee was indicted without detention on the 8th for violating the Public Official Election Act by paying election workers more than the regulated amount during his candidacy as the Democratic Party candidate for the Seocho-gap district in the March 9 by-election in Seoul.
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