If Unresponsive Until Summoning Ends, "Keep All Possibilities Open"
The prosecution has stated that it is considering the possibility of indicting without investigation if the lawmakers identified as having received money envelopes at the Democratic Party of Korea's party convention ultimately do not appear.
A Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office official told reporters on the afternoon of the 7th that when asked about measures if the lawmakers do not comply with the "final summons," he said, "It is difficult to assume they will not come," but added, "We will proceed with the necessary procedures." When asked if it is possible to indict without investigation if they refuse to appear until the end, he said, "We are keeping that in mind."
The prosecution referred to the Supreme Court ruling confirming a two-year prison sentence for former lawmaker Yoon Gwan-seok, who was convicted of distributing money envelopes, stating, "The ruling states that all the mentioned lawmakers were present at the scene," and added, "We are trying to verify the facts and hear the lawmakers' explanations."
Earlier, on the 1st, the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Choi Jae-hoon) sent summons letters with scheduled investigation dates to six lawmakers suspected of receiving money envelopes (Kim Young-ho, Min Byung-duk, Park Sung-jun, Baek Hye-ryun, Jeon Yong-gi of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Hwang Un-ha of the Party for National Innovation). None of the lawmakers have yet expressed their intention to appear before the prosecution. The prosecution said that regarding the second group of lawmakers who received money envelopes, "We think there are about 10," and "a significant number have been identified."
The prosecution also announced plans to submit an opinion to the court requesting that the Daejang-dong and Wirye New Town cases involving Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, be sentenced separately. They also plan to request the separate allocation of the Baekhyeon-dong and Seongnam FC cases, which are currently being heard jointly. A prosecution official explained, "Since the Wirye New Town case and the Daejang-dong case have similar issues and share related witnesses, we plan to express an opinion asking that once the hearings are somewhat concluded, the cases be separated for sentencing."
Regarding the reissuance of an arrest warrant for Koo Young-bae, CEO of Qoo10 Group, who has been identified as the final person responsible for the large-scale unpaid settlement incident involving TMON and WEMAKEPRICE, the prosecution said, "We are supplementing the charges. We are analyzing materials secured through investigations and raids." When asked about the timing of the reissuance of the warrant, they added, "We are conducting the necessary investigations and proceeding according to the schedule."
Regarding the impeachment of Lee Chang-soo, head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, which the Democratic Party of Korea is pushing for, the prosecution said, "We think it is quite unfair." When asked if the impeachment of Chief Prosecutor Lee would hinder investigations and prosecution maintenance, they responded, "Of course it would. Especially for cases under the 4th Chief Prosecutor, decisions need to be made quickly, so if the head is removed, how many difficulties would arise?" They continued, "If you impeach just because someone handled a case, what public official would work? There are appeals and re-appeals. All legal procedures exist," and said, "We think it goes against the principle of separation of powers."
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