By Kim Hyun-bin
Police searched the home of Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, Friday, over suspicion he forcefully committed his estranged brother to a mental hospital and lied about it during the local elections in June.
Bundang Police Station sent 40 investigators and confiscated two mobile phones from Lee as well as going through several offices in Seongnam City Hall, where he previously served as mayor.
“They took my cellphone. I don't know why they had to make a fuss and raid the place,” Lee said. “I will hold an official briefing on my brother's case soon.”
Lee is affiliated with the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and won the provincial governor seat during the heated June local elections. He was also a contender during the presidential primary last year.
In June, the minor Bareunmirae Party accused the mayor of committing his brother to the mental institution against his will and violating the election law for falsely denying the claim.
The party also accused Lee of having an extramarital affair with an actress during the campaign and claimed he pressured local companies into paying the city-affiliated pro football team 16 billion won for advertising.
Lee has flatly denied all allegations.
“These issues were not problematic during the former Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations. I don't know why this has become an issue six years later,” Lee said. “I will make sure it does not affect my handling of provincial government affairs.”
Police said Friday the search was only related to allegations about his brother, who is now deceased.
In a separate case, Kim Boo-sun the actress involved in the scandal, has filed a police complaint and a defamation lawsuit against Lee.
The scandal opened a new chapter after a phone conversation recording between Kim and a novelist went viral. Kim was recorded saying she could use a large mole on Lee's body as a “smoking gun” in a trial.?