The Constitutional Court, which is hearing the impeachment petition case against former Suwon District Prosecutor's Office Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee Jeong-seop (53, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 32), has admitted the investigation records of a drug case involving Lee's brother-in-law as evidence.
The Constitutional Court made this decision during the third preparatory hearing for the impeachment petition case against the former deputy chief prosecutor held on the afternoon of the 25th.
The investigation records admitted as evidence by the Constitutional Court were submitted by the Suseo Police Station, which investigated Lee's brother-in-law, Mr. Jo, at the request of the National Assembly.
The Suseo Police Station received a complaint from Jo's spouse, Ms. Kang Mi-jeong, in February last year but decided not to prosecute four months later. Ms. Kang has claimed that former Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee used his position to cover up the investigation into Mr. Jo.
On this day, the National Assembly side argued, "Despite the spouse's report and the existence of a statement record, the investigation did not proceed, and the responsible investigator was changed three times," adding, "The investigation was conducted differently from a typical drug case."
On the other hand, Lee's legal representative rebutted, saying, "This concerns the investigation of a third party," and "There is no evidence that the respondent was involved."
The National Assembly requested the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office to send the inspection and investigation records related to former Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee, but the prosecution reportedly refused, citing that "the investigation or inspection is ongoing."
Justice Moon Hyung-bae, who conducted the preparatory procedure on this day, stated, "Regarding the claim that the impeachment resolution violated the principle of non bis in idem under the National Assembly Act, we will refer to the conclusion of a separate jurisdictional dispute case," adding, "A ruling is expected soon."
Regarding the Democratic Party's withdrawal and re-submission of the impeachment motion against the former deputy chief prosecutor, the People Power Party and others have argued that it violates the National Assembly Act's principle of non bis in idem, which states that "a matter that has been rejected once cannot be reintroduced or submitted again within the same session." The People Power Party has filed a jurisdictional dispute petition with the Constitutional Court against National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo and has also applied for a provisional injunction to suspend the effect.
The Constitutional Court concluded the preparatory procedure on this day and decided to hold a formal hearing in the future.
Allegations of misconduct against former Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee were first raised during the national audit in October last year.
The National Assembly's grounds for impeachment include allegations that the former deputy chief prosecutor unlawfully accessed another person's criminal record, improperly used ski resorts and golf courses, covered up his brother-in-law's drug investigation, and engaged in false address registration.
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