Gaseyeon and Seominwi Representatives Summoned One After Another
Police investigating allegations of stock trading under borrowed names by lawmaker Lee Choonseok are accelerating their probe by continuing to question complainants even over the weekend.
On August 9, the Financial Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency summoned a representative from the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute (Gaseyeon) as a complainant for questioning. The questioning reportedly began around 9 a.m. and lasted for about four hours.
Gaseyeon filed a complaint on August 6, alleging that Lee, who served as the head of the Economic Division 2 at the National Planning Committee, engaged in so-called artificial intelligence (AI) blue-chip stock transactions under the name of his aide, Cha Mo, using borrowed-name accounts. They accused Lee and Cha of violating the Real Name Financial Transactions Act and the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act. The complaint also pointed out a conflict of interest, as the Economic Division 2 of the National Planning Committee oversees AI and industrial trade policy.
The police are also reportedly looking into suspicions of Lee's borrowed-name stock trading that surfaced during last year's National Assembly audit. Separately from the current allegations, on October 7 of last year, Lee was captured by media cameras trading stocks through an account under Cha's name during the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee audit held at the Government Complex Sejong.
On this day, the police reportedly continued to question the complainant about last year's transactions, based on news articles submitted by Gaseyeon. It is known that the materials prepared by the police amounted to as many as 400 pages. The investigation is expected to expand to cover all stock transactions made through accounts under Cha's name.
Around the same time, Kim Soonhwan, Secretary-General of the Citizens' Committee for Public Livelihood Measures (Seominwi), also appeared before the police as a complainant for questioning. Before the questioning, Kim stated, "The dedicated investigation team must conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into stock investments in Naver, Kakao Pay, and LG CNS involving the Presidential Office, the Democratic Party, and other lawmakers and aides." He also insisted, "The investigation team should provide daily press briefings." He added, "This case is even more significant than the current special prosecutor's investigation, as it has undermined the national economy and disrupted national discipline."
Based on the complainants' statements and other information, the police are reportedly weighing the timing of summoning Lee and Cha for questioning to verify the allegations raised.
On August 4, after a photo surfaced of Lee trading stocks under Cha's name at the National Assembly plenary session, he immediately withdrew from the Democratic Party amid mounting controversy.
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