Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung called Friday for an independent counsel investigation into a corruption scandal that led to an arrest warrant request for one of his closest aides, claiming his innocence as a prosecution probe closes in on him.
Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) leader Lee Jae-myung denied allegations of involvement Friday as his right-hand man faces arrest for allegedly receiving bribes prosecutors believe were used to finance Lee s election campaigns. Lee called for a new investigation led by an independent counsel, as he accused the prosecutors of carrying out a political repression campaign on behalf of President Yoon Suk-yeol. Lee s proposal to appoint an independent counsel comes a day after prosecutors asked judges to issue an arrest warrant for Kim Yong, who served as the head of Lee s campaign for the party s presidential primary, on charges of receiving 847 million won ($600,000) in illegal political funds from real estate developers between April and August 2021.
Opposition leader proposes special counsel probe into Seongnam development scandal – The Korea Times koreatimesus.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from koreatimesus.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung was indicted on Thursday for allegations that he violated the election law by making false statements related to two land development projects in Seongnam, just south of Seoul, while campaigning for the presidential election last year. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office charged Lee, the chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), with election law violations, one day before the expiry of the statute of limitations for his cases.