Prosecutors raid Gyeonggi government in connection to Lee Jae-myung spending allegations

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Prosecutors raid Gyeonggi government in connection to Lee Jae-myung spending allegations

Published: 04 Dec. 2023, 14:54 Updated: 04 Dec. 2023, 16:00

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung volunteers to deliver briquettes to low-income households in Seongbuk District, Seoul, on Monday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

The Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office raided the Gyeonggi government office on Monday to seize evidence connected to allegations that Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung and his wife Kim Hye-kyung purchased personal items on the provincial government’s dime.

A former Gyeonggi government employee accused Lee and his wife of purchasing personal items such as shampoo and takeout sushi while Lee was governor of Gyeonggi.

The Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police in September 2022 decided not to refer the case to the prosecutors’ office, citing insufficient evidence.

However, in October, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission asked prosecutors to investigate the allegation after receiving information from whistle-blower Cho Myeong-hyeon.

Cho claimed he worked for then-Governor Lee as a personal assistant running errands.

His job included delivering sandwiches every morning and doing laundry.

He also claimed that Lee purchased takeout sushi, expensive Japanese-made shampoo, lotions and other products using the provincial government's credit card in violation of the law.

Additionally, he accused Lee's wife of using him as her personal assistant, which violates the law as spouses are not allowed to use public officials as assistants.

Cho revealed himself to the public in October at a press conference held at the National Assembly.

The whistle-blower was supposed to attend a National Assembly audit but was stopped by the DP.

“Can you call yourself a politician who understands and takes on the grievance of the people, a politician who is concerned with the livelihood of the ordinary people, when you have used taxes from the people’s sweat and blood for your personal use without any guilt, and with absolute authority used public employees like your own servants?” Cho said at the press conference.

“How could you promise the people you would build a better world for them?”

A person convicted of embezzlement could face up to five years in prison or 15 million won ($11,500) in fines.

If the embezzlement is seen as a breach of duty, the penalty doubles to 10 years in prison or 30 million won in fines.

A person could also face at least three years if he is guilty of misappropriating taxes of 300 million won or less. The penalty rises to a minimum of five years if the misappropriated amount is 500 million won or more.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [[email protected]]