Lee Myungjun, Chief of the West Sea Coast Guard, Denies Allegations of Interference in State Project Corruption Investigation

Alleged Pressure to Close Investigation Through Senior Superintendent-Level Commander
Malicious Tip-Off Causes Serious Defamation... Legal Action to Follow

Seohae Regional Coast Guard Commissioner Lee Myungjun is currently under an internal audit regarding allegations of external pressure on investigations and abuse of personnel authority. He has declared the accusations are "groundless" and has announced plans for legal action, drawing public attention.

According to the Coast Guard on the 14th, Team Leader A, who was part of the Seohae Coast Guard Regional Investigation Unit, was in charge of investigating a complaint alleging that high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries committed breach of trust during the construction of the Gageodo breakwater in Shinan, Jeonnam, a project funded by a large national budget, due to poor construction and other issues.

Coastal Police Agency in the West Sea Region

However, Team Leader A claimed that after reporting the search and seizure plan, Commissioner Lee expressed strong dissatisfaction with the investigation and pressured for its closure through a senior superintendent-level commander. He also alleged that Commissioner Lee urgently changed personnel guidelines to reassign him to a less favorable position (onboard duty) as a form of demotion in retaliation for his resistance.

In response, the Coast Guard's audit is looking into allegations that Commissioner Lee pressured the investigation team to conclude the case early, and that he expressed strong dissatisfaction after being briefed on the search and seizure plan, subsequently transferring Mr. B.

Regarding this, Commissioner Lee stated, "I have never exerted any external pressure on the investigation. As this malicious tip-off has caused serious defamation, I will take legal action, including filing criminal charges against those involved."

He further emphasized, "Mr. B's transfer was the result of personnel guidelines changed before the search and seizure report was made. There was also internal demand to transfer Mr. B to another department due to reasons such as undermining team cohesion."

He added, "This case was dismissed or dropped in all four previous investigations, including three by the prosecution and one by the police between 2020 and 2023. When the same complaint was filed again in September last year, Mr. B strongly insisted on investigating despite a superior's assessment that it was not worthwhile."