[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] The Democratic Party of Korea held a late-night Supreme Council meeting on the 29th. This was right after Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, appeared before the prosecution on the 28th and underwent about 12 hours of investigation.
Leader Lee had already appeared twice in January, first on the 10th regarding the 'Seongnam FC sponsorship fund' allegations and then on the 28th over the 'Wirye and Daejang-dong development allegations,' but the prosecution is requesting a second summons for additional investigation. If Leader Lee refuses to appear, there is a possibility that the prosecution will request an arrest warrant, making the Democratic Party's response more important than ever. The unusually held closed Supreme Council meeting on a Sunday is also interpreted as being due to this reason. Attention is focused on possible changes in Leader Lee's response to the upcoming prosecution investigation.
Ahead of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is facing breach of trust charges related to preferential treatment allegations in the Daejang-dong and Wirye New Town development projects, supporters are shouting cheering slogans in front of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on the 28th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
On the 30th, a Democratic Party official said, "The Supreme Council is held on a Sunday only when there is an unexpected or serious issue," adding, "Since Leader Lee was investigated for about 12 hours by the prosecution, he might have felt that he must decide how to take a stance going forward." The official also said, "Before the prosecution appearance, there were voices within the party demanding a tough response, but I think more concrete discussions took place for the first time in the closed Supreme Council meeting."
On that day, Leader Lee delivered a direct blow to President Yoon Seok-youl with his characteristic straightforward speech during the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in the morning. Although Leader Lee did not directly mention his own prosecution appearance, he criticized President Yoon's 'hostile remarks toward Iran' and the 'Democratic Party's 30 trillion won emergency livelihood project being disparaged,' saying, "As the highest person responsible for state affairs, he should feel a heavy sense of responsibility." He also said, "Instead of calling me repeatedly only to the prosecution office, if President Yoon calls me to Yongsan as well, it might help solve livelihood and economic issues." While criticism of the Yoon administration's governance was nothing new, it was an unusual response to point out President Yoon's failures in light of the repeated prosecution summons directed at himself.
The prosecution plans to request Leader Lee's appearance for a second investigation in early next month. If Leader Lee does not comply, there is a possibility that the prosecution will request an arrest warrant. It is known that the Supreme Council leans toward non-compliance. Senior Spokesperson Ahn Ho-young told reporters after the closed Supreme Council meeting the day before, "During the investigation, the prosecutor delayed the process by repeatedly asking about what was said, and it seemed like the purpose was harassment and humiliation, so most Supreme Council members were of the opinion that the leader should not appear."
If the prosecution requests an arrest warrant, the next step will be a vote on the arrest consent bill within the National Assembly. The Democratic Party intends to reject it, but in this case, the party will bear the burden of criticism for 'shielding Lee Jae-myung.'
Kim Seung-won, the party's legal committee chairman, appeared on MBC Radio that day and said, "It seems the prosecution is aiming for that part (rejection)," adding, "To impose the image of a shielded National Assembly or to accuse of evading investigation, they are likely to request an arrest warrant even if it is excessive." Some argue that Leader Lee should relinquish the parliamentary immunity from arrest. However, there are strong voices opposing this, citing the prosecution's unfair and political investigation. Kim Nam-guk, a pro-Lee lawmaker, said on KBS Radio that day, "Many lawmakers are likely to express the opinion that this is an unfair investigation and political oppression against the opposition, so they cannot do that (relinquish parliamentary immunity)."
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