[2025 Audit] Heated Debate Over 'Lee Jinsook Arrest' at National Assembly Audit: "Rain Ritual Warrant" vs "Cannot Agree"

During the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee audit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, a heated debate broke out over the arrest of former Korea Communications Commission Chairperson Lee Jinsook.

Yonhap News Agency

The People Power Party claimed that the police had predetermined the outcome to arrest Lee and had repeatedly issued six appearance requests. In response, the Democratic Party of Korea and the police countered that the warrant execution was legitimate.

At the audit on the 23rd, Seo Beomsoo, a member of the People Power Party, pointed out that the police obtained an arrest warrant on their third attempt after two prior rejections, saying, "They kept applying for warrants as if performing a rain ritual, until one was granted." He further argued, "By repeatedly sending appearance requests, they made it seem as though former Chairperson Lee was deliberately not cooperating." Previously, on October 2, the Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul had abruptly arrested Lee on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act and the State Public Officials Act.

In response, Shin Yongju, Chief of the Criminal Division at Jungbu Police Station (formerly Head of the Second Investigation Division at Yeongdeungpo Police Station), who led the investigation at the time, refuted these claims, saying, "I cannot agree with that." He stated, "We tried to request her appearance for a month in August, but received no response from Lee’s side." Regarding the claim from Lee’s side that Shin had said the appearance requests were merely a formality and could be ignored, he denied it, saying, "I have no recollection of that, and I believe there was a misunderstanding." Six days after Lee was released through a court review of the legality of her arrest, Shin was transferred to Jungbu Police Station.

Park Sumin, another People Power Party lawmaker, said, "If there has never been a case where someone was arrested and summoned more quickly than former Chairperson Lee, then this must be the only one," emphasizing that on September 27, when Lee was originally scheduled to appear before the police, she was compelled to attend the National Assembly plenary session as an agency head due to a filibuster (unlimited debate).

The Democratic Party of Korea and other ruling coalition members supported the police. Han Byungdo of the Democratic Party said, "Usually, an arrest warrant is requested if someone fails to appear about three times, so in fact, she was given leniency," adding, "Ultimately, she did not appear on September 27 either." Lee Sangshik, also of the Democratic Party, said, "Is former Chairperson Lee above the law? Why grant her special privileges? Whether one is a lawmaker or a minister, everyone is equal before the law and must be held accountable. Conduct a strict investigation."