President Lee Won-seok, Lee Jae-myung's North Korea remittance suspicion: "Will do our best to uncover the truth beyond political factions"

Judge's Vivid Criticism and Prosecutor Impeachment Claims "Serious Infringement on Judicial Independence"
Regarding Conflict Rumors with Yongsan Presidential Office over Mrs. Kim, "I Think Such a Thing Won't Happen"

Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok stated regarding the allegations of illegal remittances to North Korea involving Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, "We will do our best to clearly ascertain the facts of the case and ensure that those responsible are held strictly accountable."

On the morning of the 11th, Lee responded this way when asked by reporters if there were plans to indict Lee Jae-myung.

Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

Regarding the first trial verdict last week for former Gyeonggi Province Deputy Governor for Peace Lee Hwa-young, Lee said, "We are in the process of meticulously analyzing the extensive verdict document, which is about 300 pages long," and added, "Contrary to some incorrect claims, the analysis of the verdict shows that National Intelligence Service documents were used as a key basis for the guilty verdict."

He continued, "Regardless of camps, factions, political parties, or vested interests, we will firmly uphold the principle of investigating and handling the case solely based on evidence and legal reasoning without any consideration."

Regarding the calls for the 'impeachment of the investigation team' mainly from the Democratic Party, Lee said, "There are even statements about legal distortion crimes and demands to replace the judges," and added, "I see this as serious pressure not only on the prosecution but also on the judiciary, and a grave infringement on the independence of trials and the judiciary as enshrined in our Constitution."

Lee also said, "After the trial ended, there were SNS posts implying insults toward the judiciary and statements denying the legitimacy of the court itself," adding, "I am concerned that this could lead to special investigations and impeachment of judges in the future, which would be an attempt to undermine the rule of law."

The Suwon District Court sentenced former Deputy Governor Lee to 9 years and 6 months in prison on the 7th, recognizing that Ssangbangwool sent funds to North Korea on behalf of Gyeonggi Province, including travel expenses for then-Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung's visit to North Korea and smart farm project funds.

The Suwon District Prosecutors' Office plans to indict Lee Jae-myung additionally on charges including bribery by a third party once the analysis of the first trial verdict for the former deputy governor is completed.

When asked whether he would request the restoration of investigative authority over the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case involving First Lady Kim Keon-hee, Lee said, "The previous Minister of Justice stripped the Prosecutor General of investigative authority," and added, "I am confident that the frontline prosecutors will conduct a proper investigation solely based on evidence and legal reasoning without any other considerations."

The Prosecutor General's investigative authority over the Deutsche Motors case has not been restored since former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae stripped it during President Yoon Seok-youl's tenure as Prosecutor General. Despite several changes in the Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General, the authority has not been reinstated. Since the Prosecutor General does not have the legal right to request restoration of investigative authority against the Minister, the decision of Minister of Justice Park Sung-jae is required to restore the Prosecutor General's investigative authority.

Regarding the summons of First Lady Kim, Lee said, "The specific investigation schedule will be coordinated and carried out smoothly based on reports from the frontline as the investigation progresses."

On concerns that conflicts might arise with the presidential office over the investigation of the First Lady, Lee responded, "If we proceed solely based on evidence and legal reasoning without any other considerations, I do not think such conflicts will occur. That is what I expect."