[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was summoned to the prosecution on the 28th as a suspect in the 'Daejang-dong and Wirye development project preferential treatment and corruption' allegations, has effectively announced his intention to exercise his right to remain silent.
On the morning of the day, immediately after Lee arrived at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-dong, Seoul, a post titled 'Lee Jae-myung Leader's Prosecutor Testimony Preface' was uploaded on his Facebook. In it, Lee stated, "The prosecution, having lost neutrality and already decided to indict, has no interest in the truth or the substance of the case," adding, "No reasonable explanation can reverse the prosecution's decision, and the prosecution will hide the truth, distort facts, twist and omit my statements to justify the indictment they have already decided on, and misuse this to manipulate the case."
He further said, "Therefore, please be aware that all answers to the prosecutor's questions can only be replaced by a written statement."
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking as he appears at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 28th to undergo prosecution investigation related to the Daejang-dong development preferential treatment allegations. Lee is accused of leaking internal secrets of Seongnam City or Seongnam Urban Development Corporation to private contractors as the final decision-maker of the Wirye and Daejang-dong development projects during his tenure as mayor of Seongnam, enabling them to gain enormous profits. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
This is interpreted to mean that after submitting a pre-prepared written statement containing arguments refuting the charges of breach of duty and violation of the Anti-Corruption Act applied by the prosecution to Lee, he will not respond to the prosecutor's specific questions.
Previously, the prosecution and Lee's side had a standoff over the number of investigations and attendance times. The prosecution notified Lee's side that at least two investigations were necessary due to the vast amount of material to be examined, but Lee's side requested to conclude the investigation in one session that day, even if it meant an overnight investigation. Also, the prosecution requested Lee to appear at 9:30 a.m., but Lee's side insisted on appearing at 10:30 a.m.
Since Lee has effectively expressed his intention to refuse to answer specific questions, the investigation is expected to end sooner than anticipated. For the prosecution, as further summons investigations have become meaningless, there is a high possibility that they will consider Lee's detention based on the results of this investigation.
Lee is accused of causing astronomical profits to private developers such as Kim Man-bae during the Daejang-dong project while serving as mayor of Seongnam and causing losses to Seongnam City, as well as leaking internal information to private developers during the selection process for the Wirye New Town development project (charges of breach of duty and violation of the former Anti-Corruption Act).
In the preface to his prosecutor testimony, Lee referred to the prosecutor's oath of office, stating, "The public is concerned about the current situation as follows," and said, "Is the prosecution becoming a coward hiding behind the media, obsessed only with eliminating political opponents, ignoring the president's family, and focusing solely on removing the president's rivals, becoming cold and unfair prosecutors who are lenient only to prosecution officials? It is time for the prosecution to self-reflect."
He also emphasized, "The prosecution must conduct investigations, not politics," adding, "It is unforgivable for the prosecution, which holds the highest authority and responsibility to maintain law and order, to engage in fabricated investigations to eliminate political opponents of those in power."
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