'Seongnam FC Allegations' Lee Jae-myung's Prosecutor Summons Ends After 12 Hours

Regarding the 'Seongnam FC Sponsorship Fund Suspicion' case, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is answering reporters' questions as he returns home after being investigated at the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Seongnam Branch in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do on the afternoon of the 10th. [Joint Coverage] [Image Source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The investigation of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea and a suspect in the 'Seongnam FC sponsorship fund allegations,' who was summoned to the prosecution on the 10th, ended after 12 hours.

Lee finished the investigation around 10:42 p.m. that day and came out of the main building of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Seongnam Branch. He told reporters, "The answer has been decided, and prosecution is clear," adding, "Ultimately, the truth will be revealed in court." He continued, "Even after reviewing various materials presented by the prosecution, there was no convincing evidence for me," and expressed gratitude, saying, "Thank you to many who waited and supported me until late." He did not respond to any further questions from the press. Lee walked to the front gate, shook hands with supporters who were waiting for him, then got into a vehicle and went home.

The Seongnam FC sponsorship fund allegations involve claims that during Lee’s tenure as mayor of Seongnam and owner of Seongnam FC from 2016 to 2018, he secured sponsorship funds totaling about 17 billion won from companies such as Naver, Doosan Construction, and Cha Hospital, and provided these companies with conveniences such as building permits and land use changes. Lee is accused of third-party bribery after being reported by the Bareunmirae Party and others in 2018 over these allegations.

The prosecution reportedly focused their questioning on whether companies that donated sponsorship funds to Seongnam FC made illicit requests during various permit processes, whether the sponsorship funds were quid pro quo, and whether Lee was involved in or aware of the fundraising process.

Lee had a simple lunch inside and skipped dinner while undergoing the investigation. He submitted a written statement of six pages on A4 paper prepared in advance to the prosecution. It is reported that he mostly responded to the prosecution’s questions by referring to the contents of the written statement. However, for some questions, he gave specific answers denying the allegations.

In Lee’s written statement, he claimed that the money paid by companies was not sponsorship funds but advertising fees under advertising contracts, and that the change of use for Doosan Group’s hospital site was a lawful administrative act for public interest. He also stated that he was not involved in the club’s advertising sales. It is said that Lee even reacted with surprise to some evidence presented by the prosecution, asking, "Did this really happen?"

Meanwhile, the prosecution plans to conclude Lee’s summons investigation with this single session. It is expected that they will consider requesting an arrest warrant for Lee and decide whether to indict him by the end of this month at the latest.