Lee denies attempt to link him with Yoon

Dec 22, 2025, 08:29 am

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Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform Party, answers reporters’ questions as he arrives as a suspect for questioning by the special counsel team led by Min Joong-ki over allegations of election nomination interference involving former President Yoon Suk Yeol, at the special counsel’s office in central Seoul on Dec. 21. / Yonhap

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform Party, appeared before the special counsel investigating allegations surrounding Kim Keon-hee on Saturday, denying claims that he conspired with former President Yoon Suk Yeol to interfere in election nominations.

Lee arrived at the special counsel’s office at 9:48 a.m., marking the first summons of a suspect since the launch of the special investigation team. Speaking to reporters, Lee said, “Most people know how President Yoon treated me in 2022,” adding that attempts to frame him as a co-conspirator with Yoon were “highly unreasonable.”

“It is contradictory in itself to claim that a party leader interferes in nominations,” Lee said. “That simply did not happen. If the special counsel wants to know anything about other individuals, including former President Yoon, I am willing to explain.”

Regarding allegations that Yoon may have intervened in party nominations, Lee said he had consistently pointed out “suspicious circumstances” at the time and had faithfully submitted relevant materials to investigators. “Whether those circumstances constitute a crime is for legal experts to determine,” he added.

The special counsel plans to question Lee about alleged nomination interference during the June 1, 2022 local elections and the subsequent parliamentary by-elections.

Lee has previously claimed that there are recorded phone conversations suggesting that Yoon attempted to influence nominations for posts such as the Seoul Gangseo District mayor and the Pohang mayor while Lee was serving as leader of the People Power Party. Lee is also listed as a complainant in a case involving obstruction of official duties related to the nomination process.

In July, the special counsel team conducted search and seizure operations at Lee’s residence and office as part of the ongoing investigation.

#Lee Jun-seok #Kim Keon-hee special counsel #Yoon Suk Yeol #nomination interference #Reform Party