Prosecutors Likely to Request Warrant After Second Investigation of Lee Jae-myung Between 5th and 11th Next Month

Blocking the Justification for 'Need for Detention' and Preparing to Rally Supporters
Democratic Party's Street Protest... 'Yoon Administration Condemnation Rally' Scheduled for the 4th
Warrant Expected to Be Requested After Second Investigation, Including Seongnam FC Case

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] The prosecution, currently investigating allegations of preferential treatment and corruption in the Daejang-dong and Wirye development projects, is expected to summon Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, once more on either the 5th or 11th of next month for further questioning before filing an arrest warrant.

On the 31st, a prosecution official stated, "We are currently negotiating the schedule for the second summons with Lee's side," adding, "We cannot disclose specific details of the negotiations, but communication is ongoing through his legal counsel. A conclusion will be reached soon."

Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is under suspicion of breach of trust related to preferential treatment allegations in the Daejang-dong and Wirye New Town development projects, is responding to reporters' questions as he appears at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on the 28th as a suspect.
Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Lee held an unscheduled press briefing immediately after the Supreme Council meeting the previous morning, stating, "It is humiliating and unfair, but as the (presidential) loser, since they ask me to come, I will go again," expressing his willingness to comply with the prosecution's additional summons.

Within legal circles, the prevailing expectation was that Lee would not comply with any further summons after responding once on the 28th.

However, despite opposition within his party, Lee's decision to comply with the second summons is interpreted as a strategic move to demonstrate cooperation during the investigation, even if he exercises his right to remain silent during questioning. This is seen as an effort to avoid giving the prosecution justification for requesting detention ahead of the parliamentary vote on the arrest consent motion. Additionally, it is viewed as a choice aimed at reinforcing the image of a politically persecuted opposition leader, thereby uniting the Democratic Party internally and consolidating support among its followers.

Earlier, after completing the first summons, the prosecution requested Lee's side to appear either on the same day or on the 1st of next month, but Lee's side has maintained their position to appear over the weekend again.

The Democratic Party has planned to hold a national report rally condemning the Yoon Seok-youl administration starting this weekend. The "Yoon Seok-youl Regime Livelihood Collapse and Prosecutorial Dictatorship Condemnation Rally," scheduled for the afternoon of the 4th near Sungnyemun in Seoul, is expected to be attended by party leadership including Lee, all Democratic Party members of the National Assembly, provincial party chairpersons, regional committee heads, and key party members.

Therefore, the prosecution's additional summons of Lee is likely to take place no earlier than the 5th, or possibly on the 11th or 12th.

During Lee's questioning on the 28th, the prosecution was unable to ask all the prepared questions. After the first investigation, the investigative team has been carefully reviewing the 33-page written statement submitted by Lee and is preparing a new set of questions for the second round of questioning.

The second investigation is expected to focus on whether Lee was directly involved in or aware of the KRW 42.8 billion promised by Kim Man-bae and others involved in the Daejang-dong case, the bribes received by Lee's closest aide Jeong Jin-sang, former Political Coordination Officer of the party leader's office, and the illegal campaign funds received by Kim Yong, deputy director of the Democratic Research Institute. Lee's previously submitted statement made no mention of these individuals.

Once the second summons is completed, the prosecution is expected to proceed promptly with Lee's detention procedures. There is growing speculation within prosecution circles that the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, which is investigating the Daejang-dong and Wirye cases, may combine these cases with the 'Seongnam FC sponsorship' case?previously investigated and completed by the Seongnam branch?and file a pretrial detention warrant.

Since the Democratic Party, the majority party in the National Assembly, is collectively responding by labeling the investigation against Lee as 'opposition suppression,' even if the prosecution files an arrest warrant, the likelihood of the arrest consent motion passing is low. Consequently, Lee is expected to be indicted without detention.

Ultimately, the determination of guilt or innocence regarding the various charges suspected by the prosecution against Lee will inevitably be decided in court several months later. Therefore, this investigation is also likely to stall, with the prosecution withholding decisive evidence and Lee refusing to testify.