Prosecutors move to arrest DP chief despite hunger strike

Politics

Published: 18 Sep. 2023, 18:44

Prosecutors move to arrest DP chief despite hunger strike

Emergency respondents take Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, who has been on a hunger strike for 19 days, to a nearby hospital from his office in Yeouido, Seoul, on Monday. [YONHAP]

Prosecutors have filed an arrest warrant motion against Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung for his alleged involvement in a real estate development scandal in Seongnam's Baekhyeon-dong neighborhood while mayor of the city, as well as the illegal wiring of money to North Korea during his tenure as Gyeonggi governor.

The move comes just two hours after Lee, who has been on a hunger strike for 19 days, was transferred to a nearby emergency room in Yeouido.

This is the second arrest warrant sought against Lee in seven months.

The first motion in February was in connection to another real estate development scandal in Daejang-dong and Wirye, as well as illegal corporate sponsorships of Seongnam's football team.

That motion was rejected by the National Assembly, which is controlled by Lee's DP, albeit by a narrow vote.

The latest arrest warrant lists a number of charges against Lee, including breach of trust, bribery, abetting perjury and violating foreign exchange regulations.

Prosecutors said they decided to pursue the arrest warrant due to the seriousness of the alleged crimes and the risk that Lee will tamper with evidence.

A key witness, Lee Hwa-young, the former vice governor of Gyeonggi under Lee Jae-myung, who is currently on trial for illegal wiring $8 million from underwear company Ssangbangwool to North Korea, has allegedly been pressured to change his testimony.

Prosecutors believe the $8 million as a payoff to earn Lee Jae-myung an invitation from Pyongyang.

Lee Hwa-young was reportedly considering telling the court that he had informed then-Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung about the transaction with North Korea.

However, he recently changed his position in a letter released from prison, potentially due to pressure from the DP, which allegedly had contacted his wife.

The wife created a commotion in court, yelling at her husband to tell the truth, and fired the vice governor’s lawyer.

Prosecutors say they will continue to push the arrest warrant despite Lee's hunger strike.

Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon expressed concerns about the use of hunger strikes to avoid arrest warrants and emphasized the need to maintain the integrity of the justice system.

“I think we shouldn’t establish a precedent where the justice system is suspended because a suspect either goes on a hunger strike or commits self-inflicted wounds,” the Justice Minister said Monday.

By law, an arrest warrant for a sitting lawmaker requires the consent of the National Assembly when it is in session.

An arrest motion requires consent from a majority of lawmakers present to pass.

If the motion passes, a judge decides whether to arrest the legislator.

The motion for Lee's arrest is expected to be put to a vote between Sept. 21 and 25, just before the Chuseok holiday.

Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon speaks against suspect trying to avoid arrest warrant by going on a hunger strike or other self-inflicted wounds in front of reporters at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Monday. [YONHAP]

Questions have also been raised regarding Lee's transfer on Monday from St. Mary's Hospital in Yeouido, western Seoul, to Wonjin Green Hospital in Myeonmok-dong, eastern Seoul, which is 20 kilometers away.

The DP leader was moved to Wonjin Green Hospital an hour after being taken to St. Mary's Hospital 's emergency room.

Wonjin Green Hospital is known for its ties to the DP and treating DP politicians.

Yang Gil-seung, head of the Wonjin Foundation, which operates the hospital, is a former committee member of the high-profile progressive civic group People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, while Im Sang-hyuk, the hospital’s director, was a member of the Gyeonggi government’s labor policy advisory committee when Lee Jae-myung was the governor.

DP spokesman Han Min-soo said Lee was transferred to Wonjin Green Hospital because the hospital has medical staff experienced in treating hunger strike patients and possesses the necessary equipment.

He said the recommendation for the transfer came from St. Mary's Hospital in Yeouido.

“There have been online accusations regarding [Lee’s] transfer, including claims that his situation wasn’t as critical as it appeared or that his blood test came out normal,” Han said. “These are all fake news.”

He warned the party would take action against what it called fake news.

The DP spokesman said Lee Jae-myung, despite his condition, plans to continue his hunger strike, limiting treatment to IV drips.

He also denied any connection between the arrest warrant and Lee's trip to the emergency room.

“I have heard nothing,” Han said.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]