Lee Jae-myung to be Indicted Without Detention as Early as 22nd
Pro-Lee Faction: "No Disagreement That Prosecution Investigation is Political Oppression"
Party Leadership Denies Controversy Over Retaining Chairmanship
On the 22nd, 1 year and 6 months after the investigation into the Daejang-dong scandal began, the prosecution is reportedly set to indict Representative Lee Jae-myung without detention, drawing attention to whether he can maintain his position as party leader.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 1 (Chief Prosecutor Eom Hee-jun) and Division 3 (Chief Prosecutor Kang Baek-shin) are said to indict Representative Lee without detention on charges including breach of trust under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, violations of the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act and the Anti-Corruption Act, bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, and violations of the Act on the Regulation of Concealment of Criminal Proceeds.
Representative Lee is accused of causing a loss of 489.5 billion won to Seongnam Urban Development Corporation by approving a business structure favorable to private developers involved in the Daejang-dong development during his tenure as mayor of Seongnam.
Earlier, political circles predicted that if Representative Lee is indicted, the so-called 'bulletproof controversy' surrounding Article 80 of the Democratic Party's bylaws would intensify again. Article 80, Paragraph 1 of the party bylaws states that party officials indicted for corruption such as bribery and illegal political funds may have their duties suspended.
On the 15th, there were media reports that the Democratic Party's Political Innovation Committee was considering deleting Article 80, but the party clarified, "It was only introduced as a proposal, and there has been no discussion or review," attempting to quell the controversy.
The pro-Lee faction holds the position that even if Representative Lee is indicted, the relevant clause does not apply. There is already a consensus within the party that the prosecution's investigation into Lee is political oppression. According to Article 80, Paragraph 3 of the party bylaws, if it is recognized that there is an unjust reason such as political oppression, the party's executive committee may cancel or suspend disciplinary actions.
Democratic Party lawmaker Jin Sung-jun argued, "It is an unjust forced indictment and part of political oppression, so the party leadership position is not an issue to be discussed," insisting that Representative Lee should maintain his position as party leader.
On the 21st, on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' Representative Jin explained, "It does not conflict with Article 80 of the party bylaws," adding, "Article 80 includes provisions to prevent suspension of party duties through a resolution of the party executive committee if it is due to political oppression."
Representative Woo Sang-ho also said on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that "It has already been defined as political oppression at the party caucus," and "According to Article 80, Paragraph 3, it will be decided through a procedural resolution by the party executive committee to maintain the party position, recognizing it as political oppression."
Democratic Party Supreme Council member Park Chan-dae also stated, "There is no disagreement that Representative Lee's case falls under unjust political oppression."
Appearing on the YouTube broadcast 'Kim Eo-jun's Humility is Difficult News Factory,' Council member Park claimed, "The prosecution is conducting unfair investigations as prosecutorial dictatorship, political oppression, and further, to suppress the opposition party and eliminate political rivals," adding, "Looking at the prosecution's investigation and the request for arrest consent regarding Representative Lee, there is no substance at all. It is solely to eliminate political rivals."
Regarding criticism of 'self-rescue,' he said, "The chairperson of the party executive committee is the party leader, but in this executive committee resolution, if Representative Lee steps aside and the floor leader chairs the meeting, there should be no problem." According to Council member Park, the Democratic Party is preparing to promptly convene the party executive committee if the prosecution indicts Representative Lee.
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