Opposition unlikely to appear for another round of questioning

Jan 30, 2023, 08:53 am

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Democratic Party Chairman Lee Jae-myung answers questions by reporters at the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office in Seocho District, Saturday, after being questioned for his alleged involvement in a land development scandal in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province./ Source: Yonhap

AsiaToday reporters Kim Im-soo & Kim Cheol-joon

The prosecution, which questioned the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) Chairman Lee Jae-myung for his alleged involvement in a massive land development scandal in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, asked for an additional probe but it is widely expected that an additional probe is unlikely to occur. This is because Lee’s side sticks to the strategy of handling charges in court while omitting the second investigation. The struggle between the two sides is intensifying ahead of the legal battle.

According to the legal community on Sunday, the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office officially announced the second summoning on Saturday after questioning Lee as a suspect in violation of the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act and breach of trust. By then, the prosecutors said, “The investigation ended because Lee declined to take part in a late-night session,” and stressed, “We requested a second questioning for additional investigation.”

However, Lee told reporters after the questioning that the prosecutors reiterated the same questions and requested the same documentations, adding, “This is very inappropriate behavior, privatizing the national authority.” He returned home without answering questions about whether he would accept further investigations.

In response, the prosecution said that no delays were made during the investigation, adding, “The scope and volume of the investigation are quite large, and we conducted a detailed investigation based on the data reported to and approved by the final decisionmaker.”

However, legal pundits say Lee’s second summoning is unlikely to occur.

“Lee actually used his right to remain silent, replacing the investigation with a statement, claiming that the probe is political oppression against the opposition,” a lawyear in Seocho-dong, Seoul, said. “Even if the prosecution demanded further investigation, Lee’s side is unlikely to accept it,” the lawyer added. “At the moment, Lee seems to believe it is better to explain in the trial process than to make a statement to the prosecution.”

The prosecution is reportedly considering combining the two separate cases involving Lee to file for an arrest warrant for him in February in case Lee does not respond to the second round of questioning.

However, even if prosecutors seek an arrest warrant for him, Lee is expected to avoid arrest because, the National Assembly, where the DP has a majority, is expected to refuse to consent to Lee’s arrest.

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