Conservatives blame 'witch hunt' probe of ex-DSC chief

The funeral hall for Lee Jae-su, former chief of now-disbanded Defense Security Command, Sunday. Military and political figures visited Kangbuk Samsung Hospital in Seoul to pay their last respects to Lee, who committed suicide on Friday. / Yonhap

By Lee Min-hyung

Conservative parties are stepping up criticism of the Moon Jae-in government over the death of former Defense Security Command (DSC) chief Lee Jae-su.

The parties claim the government is carrying out a “witch hunt” investigation targeting ranking political figures of previous governments.

Now-disbanded DSC chief Lee Jae-su committed suicide on Friday apparently due to pressure from an investigation. He had been questioned over allegations that he abused his power to conduct illegal surveillance of bereaved families of the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster.

In a letter, Lee said he was involved in a complex political scandal even though he had lived a life of integrity during his military career.

“Everyone says that the so-called targeted and excessive investigation is the wrong type of probe,” former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said Saturday while visiting the funeral hall in Seoul.

“This is not the first time a suspect passed away during the prosecution's investigation, and it is regrettable that the investigation leaves much to be desired.”

Lee was under intense investigation, because the ex-military intelligence unit was suspected of establishing a 60-member taskforce to manage the aftermath of the disaster by trying to manipulate public sentiment.

The prosecution indicted him for allegedly ordering DSC members to collect private information about the bereaved families and their political tendencies.

Rep. Yoo Seung-min, a former co-leader of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party, urged the incumbent administration to stop the abuse of political influence.

“I hope the Moon Jae-in administration stops making political use of the prosecution,” he said after sending a condolence message to Lee's family, Saturday.

“I am confident that Lee is free from any of the allegations he was facing,” Yoo said. The ongoing investigation pattern targeting ranking figures from previous governments should not continue any longer, he said.

Yoo went on to underline the need for the prosecution to conduct a more careful and fair investigation without being swayed by political influences.

“A number of military troops were sent for the search and rescue operation during the Sewol disaster, so the military intelligence unit had no choice but to work on the spot,” Yoo said.

“But when it comes to probing such a case, the prosecution should be extremely careful and never defame the military before finding clear evidence.”

Lee was found on Friday afternoon after jumping to his death in southern Seoul, four days after the Seoul Central District Court suspended an arrest warrant for him.