Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Seongnam Branch Site, Supporters and Opponents Gather
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is suspected of 'Seongnam FC sponsorship funds,' is appearing at the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Seongnam Branch in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 10th. Photo by Joint Press Corps
[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyung-min and Kim Dae-hyun] Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, appeared at the prosecution on the 10th to be investigated as a suspect in the 'Seongnam FC Sponsorship Fund' case.
Lee arrived at the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Seongnam Branch around 10:20 a.m. that day. After getting out of the car at the foot of the hill, he walked toward the entrance of the Seongnam Branch with about 30 Democratic Party lawmakers, including Floor Leader Park Hong-geun. He also waved his hand to supporters chanting his name.
Standing at the entrance, Lee took out a prepared paper and declared the summons investigation as "a trap set by the inspection," "an unprecedented political persecution, the first summons of an opposition party leader in constitutional history." He added, "I cannot tolerate the fabrication of crimes from the sincere efforts of myself and Seongnam city officials," and said, "I will confidently confront and overcome the political prosecution," before heading to the interrogation room.
The investigation is known to be conducted directly by Yoo Min-jong, head of the Criminal Division 3 at the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Seongnam Branch, who will question Lee. Lee entered the interrogation room with Park Gyun-taek, former Gwangju High Prosecutors' Office chief, who recently joined his legal team. Including the time for Lee's side to review the statement, the investigation is expected to possibly extend past midnight. The 'Seongnam FC Sponsorship Fund' case involves Lee, who served as Seongnam mayor and professional football club Seongnam FC owner from 2015 to 2017, allegedly attracting sponsorship funds of 17 billion KRW from six companies including Doosan Construction, Naver, and Bundang CHA Hospital, and providing conveniences such as building permits and land use changes to resolve these companies' issues. Lee was accused of this in 2018 by parties including the Bareunmirae Party.
The prosecution views that Lee provided various conveniences to companies with pending issues in exchange for sponsorship funds to Seongnam FC for his political gain. They investigated under the charge of 'third-party bribery.' When indicting former Doosan Construction CEO A and former Seongnam city strategic promotion team leader B in September last year, the prosecution stated this in the indictment and named Lee as a co-conspirator with A and B.
A fierce legal battle is expected between the prosecution and Lee's side in the interrogation room. The key issue is whether there was an 'improper request' between Lee and the companies. According to Supreme Court precedents, to establish third-party bribery, an improper request must be proven. The critical point is whether the prosecution's logic?that Lee received requests from companies to resolve various issues and, in return for sponsorship funds paid to the third party Seongnam FC, provided various benefits?can be proven. Lee's side is not expected to refuse to testify. According to political and legal circles, Lee met with his lawyers over the past weekend to organize expected questions from the prosecution and rehearsed answers. It is interpreted that he has adopted a strategy to actively deny the charges.
The prosecution will review and decide whether to request an arrest warrant for Lee after the investigation. Meanwhile, Lee announced that he will hold a New Year's press conference at 10:30 a.m. on the 12th.
On the 10th, a large-scale rally by conservative civic groups is taking place near the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Seongnam Branch in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, ahead of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, appearing before the prosecution. Photo by Joint Press Corps
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is addressing the press before entering the Seongnam branch of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office for investigation. [Photo by Kim Daehyun]
Meanwhile, despite subzero temperatures, crowds began gathering at the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Seongnam Branch 3 to 4 hours before the investigation. Citizens participating in a rally hosted by the Democratic Citizens Candlelight Solidarity, a Lee support group, held signs saying "We are Lee Jae-myung" and blue balloons, taking their places in front of the Seongnam Branch main gate.
Seon Myeong-hwa (53, female), residing in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, arrived at the site around 9 a.m. to support Lee. She said, "I work, but I told my boss 'I will take the day off today,'" and added, "The prosecution should investigate without exception, but they are conducting targeted investigations only against Lee. There is no investigation at all on President Yoon Seok-youl's side."
The Patriotic Patrol Team and New Liberal Solidarity, who hosted the rally condemning Lee, took positions on the opposite side of Lee's supporters along the 12-lane road in front of the Seongnam Branch. Holding signs such as "Suspect Lee Jae-myung Prosecution Appearance," they shouted "Arrest Lee Jae-myung," engaging in a tense standoff. Jo Nam-gim (63, male), residing in Hwijeong-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, arrived around 8 a.m. and attended the anti-Lee rally. He said, "Law and justice must live. The prosecution has conducted the investigation after great effort, and today is significant as the first investigation into numerous charges."
There was a situation where the opposing side tried to hang a banner in front of Lee's supporters, leading to an argument, but no major clashes occurred due to police and security personnel control. The Democratic Citizens Candlelight Solidarity appealed via broadcast, saying, "YouTubers on the crosswalk, please move outside. When Lee enters later, do not cross the Seongnam Branch gate. Keep the decibel level at 90, and please take down all banners."
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