Speculations are emerging about the imminent summoning of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon by prosecutors, and there is talk of potential inquiries involving the First Lady, Kim. Following the dismissal of an impeachment motion by the Constitutional Court, Lee Chang-soo has returned to his role as the Chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, accelerating the investigation into the “Myung Tae-kyun Gate” scandal. In addition to allegations regarding covering costs for opinion polls related to Mayor Oh, there are suspicions about the involvement of President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife in candidate nominations, which are being scrutinized thoroughly.
On the 16th, according to legal circles, the dedicated investigation team led by Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee Ji-hyung summoned Kim Jung-jae, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, as a witness on the 14th. This marks the first time an incumbent lawmaker has been summoned in connection with this case, indicating that the prosecution is thoroughly examining the alleged involvement of President Yoon and his wife in candidate nominations. Previously, Innovation Party lawmaker Lee Jun-seok had exposed allegations in November last year that President Yoon intervened in the candidacy process for the Pohang mayor during the local elections in June 2022. Kim, at the time, was the head of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Party of the People Power Party.
Chief Prosecutor Lee, who returned to his duties on the 13th, had previously faced impeachment proceedings due to allegations of preferential treatment and insufficient investigation in the “Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case” involving the First Lady. To avoid reigniting controversy, it is anticipated that he will conduct a thorough investigation. On the 14th, Acting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance Choi Sang-mok exercised the right to request reconsideration (veto) of the “Myung Tae-kyun Special Act,” urging an unobstructed investigation. Consequently, the legal community believes that summoning the First Lady is almost inevitable.
On the 14th, the prosecution also summoned businessman Kim Han-jung, who allegedly covered the survey expenses for Mayor Oh, and Lee Chang-geun, former Seoul city spokesperson, as a suspect and a witness, respectively. This development fuels speculation that the summoning of Mayor Oh is imminent.