Second Day in Detention
Possible Arrest Warrant Application After Investigation
The police are conducting an intensive investigation into whether former Broadcasting and Communications Commission Chairwoman Lee Jinsuk, who is in her second day of detention, violated the "duty of political neutrality" as a public official.
The Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul is investigating Lee on October 3 for potential violations of the National Public Officials Act. The investigation centers on allegations that she made biased remarks, such as "The Democratic Party is a group that does everything imaginable," during appearances on conservative YouTube channels from September to October last year, when she was suspended from her duties.
Earlier in the morning, the police questioned her on allegations of violating the Public Official Election Act, probing whether her Facebook posts and remarks in the National Assembly criticizing the Democratic Party and then-party leader, President Lee Jaemyung, were intended to prevent a candidate from being elected.
Former Broadcasting and Communications Commission Chairwoman Jin-Sook Lee, who was arrested on charges including violation of the National Public Officials Act and the Public Official Election Act, is being escorted to Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul on the 2nd. Photo by Yonhap News
Lee is reported to have acknowledged all the facts but denied any criminal liability, arguing that the charges do not apply to her actions. Her attorney, Lim Mooyoung, told reporters after the morning session, "Her criticism of the Democratic Party and others was simply an expression of regret over the Broadcasting and Communications Commission's failure to operate normally, and she testified that it had nothing to do with the Public Official Election Act or the election itself."
Attorney Lim stated that the police only made one legitimate request for her appearance, and said they are considering filing a complaint against the police for abuse of authority and unlawful arrest and detention, arguing that her arrest on the grounds of not responding to six summonses was unjustified.
Following Lee's request for a review of the legality of her arrest, the Seoul Southern District Court will hold a hearing at 3 p.m. on October 4 to determine whether the arrest was lawful and if continued detention is necessary.
The police plan to consider applying for an arrest warrant after completing their investigation.
During the morning investigation, People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk and Assemblywoman Na Kyungwon visited the Yeongdeungpo Police Station to protest. They focused on whether Lee's "statement of non-appearance" was omitted from the arrest warrant application documents, but according to Jang, the police chief of Yeongdeungpo did not respond to their inquiries.
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