Minjoo, Despite 'Lee Jae-myung Shield' Controversy, "Prosecutor Lee Jeong-seop Reported to the Corruption Investigation Office"

Democratic Party Announces Plan to File Complaint with Corruption Investigation Office Immediately After Supreme Council Meeting
Lee Jeong-seop, Responsible for 'Lee Jae-myung Investigation' at Suwon District Prosecutors' Office
Responding to 'Shielding' Criticism: "Misconduct and Criminal Prosecutors Will Not Be Tolerated"

The Democratic Party of Korea has decided to file a complaint with the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division (PCC) following the party's resolution to propose an impeachment motion against Lee Jeong-seop, the Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Suwon District Prosecutors' Office. Deputy Chief Lee is overseeing investigations related to party leader Lee Jae-myung at the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, leading to criticism that he is acting as a 'shield.'

Park Seong-jun, the Democratic Party spokesperson, told reporters after the party's Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on the morning of the 10th, "We will file a complaint with the PCC against Lee Jeong-seop, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, today." He added, "We already filed a complaint with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office last year, but no action was taken by the prosecution," emphasizing, "He is a corrupt and criminal prosecutor, and this must not be tolerated."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Spokesperson Park also commented on the failure of the impeachment motion's plenary session vote the previous day, which targeted Deputy Chief Lee as well as Lee Dong-gwan, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, stating, "There was a unified voice to pursue impeachment without wavering."

The Democratic Party had proposed the impeachment motions as party resolutions against Chairman Lee Dong-gwan, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Son Jun-sung of Daegu High Prosecutors' Office, and Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee Jeong-seop of Suwon District Prosecutors' Office the day before. However, the ruling party's decision to abandon the filibuster (unlimited debate to legally obstruct parliamentary proceedings) stalled the process. The Democratic Party plans to persuade Speaker Kim Jin-pyo to promptly convene an additional plenary session, but is also considering withdrawing the impeachment motions voluntarily and reintroducing them in case the motions are automatically discarded after failing to be voted on within 72 hours.

At the Supreme Council meeting that day, Floor Leader Hong Ik-pyo addressed Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok, who said, "If you want to impeach, then impeach me, who is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of party leader Lee Jae-myung," stating, "I hope you reflect on the pathetic state of the prosecution, which has become a servant of power." After the meeting, party leader Lee Jae-myung left the venue and, when asked about the criticism that the impeachment motion against Prosecutor Lee Jeong-seop is a 'shield' for him, he avoided a direct answer, saying, "Please ask Kim Ki-hyun (People Power Party leader) why he says nothing about the Ministry of Climate and Energy."

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Lee is overseeing investigations related to party leader Lee Jae-myung at the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office. The special investigation team he leads includes the Criminal Division 6, Public Investigation Division, and the Defense Business and Industrial Technology Crime Investigation Division. They are investigating cases such as Ssangbangwool's illegal remittance to North Korea, suspicions of 'split donations' related to party leader Lee Jae-myung, allegations of misuse of corporate cards by Lee and his spouse, and Ssangbangwool's embezzlement and breach of trust cases. Deputy Chief Lee previously handled the 'Blue House inspection cover-up case' while working at the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office in August 2019, prosecuting former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and others.