Investigators Raid National Assembly Member Lee Gwang-jae’s Office and Home

On May 9, the Seoul District Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigation Department III (Chief Prosecutor: Hong Man-pyo), which is investigating suspicions concerning Korail (Korea Railroad Company) investments in Russian oil fields, raided Uri Party lawmaker Lee Gwang-jae’s (representing Taebaek, Youngwol, Pyeongchang, and Jeongseon in Gangwon Province) office at the National Assembly and his home at Gugi-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

The prosecution gained the consent of National Assembly Speaker Kim Won-ki and searched Lee’s office in the National Assembly, seizing relevant documents, memos, bank accounts, and computer files. In addition, the prosecution also seized Lee’s private bank accounts at his house and is tracing the accounts.

It is very rare for the prosecution to raid the National Assembly office of an active lawmaker.

The prosecution raided 10 places, including the domiciles and offices of six of Lee’s campaign staff and aides.

By tracing bank accounts, the prosecution is investigating whether funds from people related to this case, including real estate developer Jeon Dae-wol (under arrest), who led the oil field project, has flowed into Lee’s account.

It was reported that Jeon testified to the prosecution that he gave 80 million won in April, 2003 at around the time of the general elections to a Mr. Ji (50, then-Uri Party Pyongchang campaign office liaison chief), one of Lee’s campaign staff members.

It was also reported that the prosecution has confirmed that 50 million won out of the 80 million won that Jeon gave was wired to Ji’s private account, and that the remaining 30 million won was handed over in cash. The prosecution is trying to find out if Ji used part of this money in Lee’s election campaign.

However, in an interview with Dong-a Ilbo, Lee said, “As far as I know, Jeon and Ji are from the same hometown and they made private transactions of money. I don’t know if Ji received money from Jeon, but it is not directly related with me.”

On the other hand, the prosecution confirmed that Korail Project Development Director Wang Young-yong had briefed Kim (46), an Industrial Policy Secretariat, on the oil field project, when he visited Cheong Wa Dae on August 31 of last year, and summoned Kim on the same day to find out more specific details.

woogija@donga.com