[이데일리 이은정 기자] Lee Seong-man, a member of the Democratic Party, said it was “unfounded” in relation to the search and seizure of illegal funds for the Democratic National Convention in 2021.
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Rep. Lee issued a statement on the 12th and said, “I express strong regret for the absurd search and seizure that came without any request for confirmation of facts or prior investigation.” I condemn the behavior.”
He said, “I don’t know what I expected or planned to find out by searching for opposition lawmakers,” he said. “My innocence will be revealed. I will fight to the end,” he added.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office’s Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 (Chief Prosecutor Kim Young-cheol) raided and searched around 20 locations, including the offices and homes of Rep. Lee and Rep. Yoon Kwan-seok, a 3rd-term leader of the Democratic Party.
Rep. Yun and Rep. Lee are accused of instructing or recommending the provision of money or valuables to win a specific candidate at the party convention, or receiving political funds in a way not prescribed by law (violation of the Political Party Act and Political Funds Act).
At that time, as a result of the party convention, the Democratic Party elected Rep. Song Young-gil as the party representative. Rep. Yoon helped with the election campaign at the camp for the party representative candidate Song Young-gil, and after the election of the party representative, Rep. Song appointed Rep. Yoon as the secretary general in charge of organization and housekeeping within the party.
The prosecution suspects that Chairman Kang handed over illegal funds to Rep. Yoon’s side through former Democratic Party Vice-President Lee Jung-geun (indicted under arrest) ahead of the party convention.