Jin-Sook Lee, Released After Arrest, Says "Still 9 Years and 6 Months Left... No Justification for Urgency"

Clash Over Statute of Limitations Between Police and Lee's Legal Team
Lee's Side: "Nine Years and Six Months Remain"
Third Round of Questioning Expected After Chuseok Holiday

The legal team representing former Chairwoman Jin-Sook Lee of the Korea Communications Commission, who was recently detained and then released by the police, has criticized the police's argument that "a prompt investigation is necessary due to the imminent expiration of the statute of limitations."

On October 5, Lee's attorney, Lim Mooyoung, stated on Facebook, "The statute of limitations for this act (referring to Lee's alleged violation of the Public Official Election Act) is not six months, but ten years. Therefore, there is still at least nine years and six months remaining," adding, "The urgency claimed by the police and prosecutors is not justified at all."

Previously, during the court's detention review hearing for Lee on the previous day, prosecutors reportedly stated, "The statute of limitations for Lee's alleged violation of the Public Official Election Act expires on December 3, and since she has repeatedly failed to comply with summons, her arrest was inevitable."

In the arrest warrant, the police specified that Lee's Facebook post criticizing the Democratic Party of Korea constituted "an act that influenced the April 6 by-election and the 21st presidential election by using her position and authority as a political appointee."

Former Chairwoman Jin-Sook Lee of the Korea Communications Commission is speaking as she enters the Seoul Southern District Court on the afternoon of the 4th to undergo a detention review hearing. Photo by Yonhap News.

While the court ordered Lee's release, it also acknowledged the legitimacy of the arrest, noting that as the statute of limitations for the alleged violation of the Public Official Election Act is approaching, investigative authorities need to promptly summon and question the suspect.

However, Lee's legal team argues that while the general statute of limitations under the Public Official Election Act is six months, Article 268, Paragraph 3 of the Act stipulates that in Lee's case, the statute of limitations is not six months but ten years. Accordingly, they contend that the urgency asserted by the police is also unfounded.

Attorney Lim stated, "It is questionable whether investigative authorities that apply for and request arrest warrants without even confirming basic legal relationships can be trusted," insisting that the chief of Yeongdeungpo Police Station and others should take responsibility, including resigning from their positions.

In response, the police told the media, "Legal interpretations may differ," and added, "Urgency was not the only reason for the arrest; investigations, by their nature, should be conducted promptly."

The police are expected to review the direction of the case after conducting a third round of questioning of Lee following the Chuseok holiday.