Prosecutors Summon Lee Jae-myung Couple Over 'Gyeonggi-do Corporate Card Misuse Allegation' (Update)

The Summon Date Is Not Specified... Schedule to Be Discussed Later

The prosecution has confirmed that it has notified former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung and his spouse to appear for questioning in connection with the so-called 'Gyeonggi Province corporate card misuse' allegations.

According to the legal community on the 7th, the Public Investigation Division of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Heo Hoon) notified Lee's side on the 4th to appear for investigation as a suspect on charges including breach of trust in the course of duty. The prosecution did not specify the date of summons and reportedly plans to coordinate the schedule later.

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

The allegations of misuse of the Gyeonggi Province corporate card involve former Governor Lee Jae-myung and his spouse Kim Hye-kyung, who, during 2018-2019, allegedly had Baem Mo, a level 5 special appointment public official at the provincial government office at the time, pay for personal food expenses such as sandwiches and fruit using the Gyeonggi Province corporate card, thereby privately misappropriating provincial funds.

This allegation came to light after a former special appointment employee of the Gyeonggi provincial government, Jo Myung-hyun, exposed it. Previously, Jo reported that Kim Hye-kyung and Baem Mo, a level 5 special appointment employee in the General Affairs Division of the former Gyeonggi provincial government office, had misused the corporate card for personal purposes. Baem was indicted on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act related to this allegation and was sentenced to 10 months in prison with a two-year probation.

In August of last year, Jo also filed a report with the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission requesting an investigation into Lee's directive and tacit approval of the corporate card misuse. The Suwon District Prosecutors' Office has been investigating the case after receiving it from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, which had taken over the case from the Commission, judging that 'there is a likelihood that Lee was aware of his spouse's misuse of the corporate card.'