Governor Lee summoned over multiple accusations

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung answers journalists’ questions at Bundang Police Station in Seongnam, Monday. /Yonhap

By Kim Jae-heun

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung appeared before police for questioning, Monday, on multiple allegations involving his family members, an alleged affair with an actress and bribery suspicions.

This was the first time he answered police questions since he won the June 13 local election.

Lee arrived at Bundang Police Station in Seongnam and shook hands with supporters before standing at a photo line to answer questions from journalists.

“The police investigation will uncover everything,” Lee said. “There are always ups and downs in life. I've never abused my power for personal purposes. Justice will prevail in the end.”

Lee said he wanted people to pay more attention to his policies instead of the allegations against him, saying, “I hope people become more interested in how to improve their lives and change the future of the country.”

Asked if he had any complaints about the police investigation, Lee said officers seemed to be over-reacting to some of the allegations.

“We not only have the police in our country, we have the prosecution and the courts. They will naturally find their way to the truth and there will be a rational result in the end,” Lee said.

The governor is currently facing various allegations.

In June, the minor Bareunmirae Party filed a complaint with the police alleging Lee lied in televised debates and this violated the Election Law for Public Officials.

The party claimed Lee lied about an affair with actress Kim Boo-sun and ― while mayor of Seongnam from 2014 to 2018 ― committing his estranged brother to a mental hospital.

Lee is also accused of forcing companies to provide 16 billion won ($14 million) in “sponsorship” money to the city's football club under the pretext of advertising.

On Oct. 16, Lee visited Ajou University Hospital in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, for an examination to prove he had no “big mole” on a part of his body, something actress Kim claimed would prove he extramarital affair with him. Doctors determined there was neither a mole nor any signs of laser or surgical treatment to remove it.

Forty police officers searched Lee's home Oct. 12 and confiscated two mobile phones as part of the investigation.

Lee denies all the allegations.

He has become the second governor elected in the June local elections to undergo a police investigation. South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Kyoung-soo is on trial for alleged involvement in an online opinion-rigging scandal.