Opposition leader to appear for questioning in corruption probe

Politics

Published: 10 Feb. 2023, 09:51

Opposition leader to appear for questioning in corruption probe

Democratic Party Chair Lee Jae-myung, second from right, attends a meeting at the National Assembly on Thursday. [YONHAP]

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung was set to appear before prosecutors for questioning Friday as part of a development corruption investigation that he condemned as politically motivated.

Lee is scheduled to show up at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office at 11 a.m. in connection with the investigation into corruption-ridden property development projects in the city of Seongnam, south of Seoul, launched while he was mayor.

It marks the third time in about a month that Lee, the chair of the main opposition Democratic Party, has appeared for investigations after he underwent questioning on Jan. 10 over separate bribery suspicions and then on Jan. 28 over development corruption allegations.

The development corruption case centers on the allegations private property developers were allowed to reap illegal proceeds of about 809 billion won ($640 million) from two apartment complex development projects in Seongnam's Daejang-dong and Wirye districts at the cost of the city government's finances.

Lee is suspected of breach of trust and corruption in the process.

Prosecutors suspect Lee, as Seongnam mayor at that time, directly or indirectly approved dubious arrangements between the private partners and his close aides, including Jeong Jin-sang.

Jeong has been indicted for allegedly leaking inside information to the private partners and providing administrative favors in exchange for a big sum of kickbacks, including election funds.

Lee was also accused of wrongdoing in bribery allegations involving Seongnam's municipal football club.

The opposition leader has claimed his innocence, rejecting all charges against him as fabricated.

Yonhap