Lee Hoi-chang’s Legal Adviser Arrested

The central investigation team of the Supreme Public Prosecutors’ Office (chief prosecutor Ahn Dae-hee), which is currently investigating illegal fundraising in last year’s presidential campaign, arrested lawyer Seo Jeong-woo, the former legal adviser and vice chairman of Lee Hoi-chang’s supporters’ association in last election (Buguk team), after uncovering evidence that Seo secretly raised several billion won from companies.

The same day, the prosecutors executed search warrants at Seo’s office at Lee & Ko., a law firm in Daechi-dong, Seoul, and at Seo’s house in Gyeonggi.

The prosecutors would also summon some lawmakers from the Grand National Party (GNP) if they found they had conspired with Seo in illegal fundraising.

Moon Hyo-nam, chief investigation planner, said, “We arrested Seo right away because the charges against him are serious and include suspicions that he received a huge amount of illicit political funds from an unknown number of companies in November last year, just before the presidential election.”

The prosecutors reportedly secured evidence demonstrating that Seo collected more than 10 billion won illegally from at least two companies on several occasions and used the money for the campaign.

The same day, the prosecutors asked Seo whether he delivered several billion won to the GNP or to the election camp of former presidential candidate Lee Hoi-chang. If that charge is confirmed, prosecutors will file an arrest warrant against Seo for the violation of the Political Funds Law.

Prosecutors are also considering imposing a foreign travel ban on former chairman Lee and will decide whether to summon him after concluding their questioning of Seo.

The prosecutors plan to summon the officials of the Buguk team soon in order to determine whether they conspired with Seo on the amount and use of the illegally raised campaign funds.

Wi-Yong Jung Jin-Kyun Kil viyonz@donga.com leon@donga.com