Anti-corruption watchdog to probe DP chief's medevac

Politics

Published: 16 Jan. 2024, 18:38 Updated: 16 Jan. 2024, 22:27

Anti-corruption watchdog to probe DP chief's medevac

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung arrives by emergency helicopter in Dongjak District, central Seoul, to be transferred to Seoul National University Hospital after he was stabbed in the neck in Busan on Jan. 2. [NEWS1]

The state-run Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) said Tuesday that it would investigate whether liberal Democratic Party (DP) chief Lee Jae-myung received illicit preferential treatment after he was airlifted by a helicopter following his stabbing.

On Jan. 2, Lee was stabbed in his left neck with a knife by a 67-year-old man during a visit to Busan and airlifted from Pusan National University Hospital to Seoul in a two-hour helicopter ride.

The DP chairman later that day underwent surgery after suffering a 1.4-centimeter (0.55-inch) laceration in a vein in his neck at Seoul National University Hospital.

The airlift led to public backlash, including from doctors' advocacy groups, who accused the DP of abusing its political power and undermining the regional medical system.

Some in the medical community argued that this could violate medical law, noting that the Pusan National University Hospital, as a designated national trauma center, would have been more than capable of treating Lee and that the DP chief had not been in a critical enough condition to warrant the dispatch of an emergency helicopter.

The anti-corruption watchdog said it had received multiple complaints and will probe whether the helicopter transport of a high-profile politician involved illegal solicitation or was prompted by preferential treatment.

Jeong Seung-yoon, the ACRC vice chairman, said in a press briefing Tuesday that the commission decided to launch the investigation "taking into consideration the high level of public interest in this case and the people's right to know."

The commission plans to send investigators to Pusan National University Hospital, Seoul National University Hospital and Busan's fire authorities as soon as this week to determine how Lee got transported by a 119 emergency helicopter.

The commission might also request an in-person questioning of Lee. Since members of the National Assembly are also considered public officials, the ACRC has the authority to investigate allegations of illegal solicitation directly.

The commission will likely investigate allegations that Lee's aide spoke to Seoul National University Hospital staff about airlifting the DP chief to the hospital.

Jeong said the commission plans to "confirm the facts fairly and transparently per relevant laws."

The DP immediately protested the move, and Park Sung-joon, its spokesman, said that the commission was "inflicting secondary damage on the rival party's leader who suffered an assassination attempt."

The DP has claimed that Lee's helicopter transport was "decided based on the judgment of the medical staff at the time."

Nam Hwa-yeong, commissioner general of the National Fire Agency, said in a press briefing Tuesday there was "no problem with the National Fire Agency manual" and said there was a "clear political intention" behind the allegations.

Regarding Lee's helicopter transport, Nam said, "Doctors make the decision for all firefighter helicopters, and the condition for airlifting requires a doctor to board the helicopter."

He added, "If the conditions are met and a request is made, an emergency helicopter will be dispatched unconditionally."

Last Wednesday, Lee was discharged from the hospital after eight days of treatment and has been recovering at his home in Gyeyang District, Incheon.

Lee is expected to return to work Wednesday, DP spokesman Park said Tuesday, and preside over the party's supreme council meeting at the National Assembly.

He will also participate in a ceremony to welcome new personnel to the party ahead of the general elections in April.

Park said Lee "has mostly recovered."

DP officials say Lee's return just two weeks after the stabbing reflects his strong personal desire to get back to work.

His early resumption of duties comes as the DP has suffered from internal division, with another group of five people announcing their departure from the DP Monday to join a new party that former leader Lee Nak-yon plans to launch soon.

Lee, a former prime minister, joined by lawmakers who defected from the DP and other independent politicians, launched a steering committee ahead of forming the party Tuesday afternoon.

Political observers have been speculating on whether Lee will be able to provide a "big tent" coalition of splinter parties for those seeking for a "third zone," or an alternative to the domination of the two major parties, ahead of the April 10 parliamentary elections.

Lee Jun-seok, the former chief of the conservative People Power Party (PPP) who defected from his party in late December, also took part in the launching ceremony.

Lee Nak-yon, center, a former chief of the Democratic Party (DP), joins hands with Lee Jun-seok, left, former head of the People Power Party, left, and former DP lawmaker Keum Tae-sup, right, at a launching ceremony of a steering committee in Dongjak District, southern Seoul, Tuesday. The committee will prepare to launch Lee Nak-yon’s new political party, amid expectations that the former prime minister will lead a coalition of minor parties ahead of the April general elections. [YONHAP]

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]