[앵커]
Among the recent investigations related to Democratic Party Chairman Lee Jae-myung, the prosecution is speeding up two cases: Ssang Bul-Bul and the alleged sponsorship of Seongnam FC.
Lee’s aides have already been the subject of major investigations, which means that the prosecution is increasing the level of pressure on Lee.
Reporter Song Jae-in reports.
[기자]
On the 28th of last month, Lee Hwa-young, former deputy governor of Gyeonggi-do, was arrested on charges of accepting bribes from Ssangbull.
[이화영 / 전 경기도 평화부지사 (지난 27일) : (이재명 대표 측근으로 알고 있는데 이재명 대표 관련 있는 사건입니까?) ….]
I am a close aide to Lee Jae-myung, president of the Democratic Party, who served as the head of the election campaign at the Gyeonggi governor election camp in 2018.
After Lee was elected as president, former Lieutenant Governor Lee was appointed as Gyeonggi Peace Vice Governor, and prosecutors were caught taking bribes from Ssangbull, where he previously served as an adviser and outside director.
It is suspected that SsangBall received 250 million won, including a SsangBall corporate card, in exchange for helping the business by leading the agreement to win a contract for a mineral business right from the North.
The former deputy governor himself also owns a borrowed name of 100 million won worth of shares of SsangBall’s affiliates, which enjoyed an upward effect on the stock price due to the business.
About 10 days ago, Jeong Jin-sang, head of the political affairs coordination office of the Democratic Party’s representative office, a key close aide to Lee, was subject to the prosecution’s compulsory investigation.
At the same time as the prosecution began a direct investigation into the ‘Seongnam FC’ allegation, it also seized and searched the home of Chung, who was then the head of the Seongnam City Policy Office.
Since then, the prosecution has even secured a statement to the effect that Director Jeong led the fundraising of Seongnam FC, which did not have a title.
[곽선우 / 전 성남 FC 대표 : 정 실장이 구단주 역할을 당시에 하고 있었으니까 이재명 시장님을 대리해서…. 본인이 주도해서 당연히 (후원을 유치)한 거죠. 그럼 누가 그걸 주도해서 해요. (구단이 아니라) 시에서 주도해서 하는 거니까….]
Prosecutors are increasing pressure on CEO Lee Jae-myung due to the two allegations of Ssang-Bul and Seongnam FC.
In the end, it seems that they will delve into the degree of involvement of CEO Lee, who was the final approval authority, but it seems that we will have to wait a little more until the investigation of the allegations is made.
This is because securing new recruits for former Chairman Kim Seong-tae, who is fleeing overseas, is essential for the prosecution to investigate Lee’s ‘suspicious payment of attorney’s fees’, which is the final goal of the investigation.
Seongnam FC’s allegations are also controversial, both within and outside the legal circles over whether the charge of bribing or accepting a third party can be applied to CEO Lee.
In order to directly investigate CEO Jae-myung Lee, more evidence and statements are needed.
This is Song Jae-in from YTN.
YTN Song Jae-in (songji10@ytn.co.kr)
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