Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok appeared for questioning on the 21st as a suspect in the special counsel probe into Kim Keon-hee. This is the first time Lee, who faces allegations of obstruction of business in connection with suspicions that former President Yoon Suk-yeol interfered in candidate nominations, has appeared before the special counsel.
Lee appeared at the special counsel's office set up at KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu, Seoul, at about 9:48 a.m. that day.
Before heading to the special counsel's interview room, Lee responded to a question about his position by saying, "What I have always said about the Myung Tae-gyun case was the truth," and "I expect the special counsel to ask about what I said this time as well."
When asked about "suspicions that former President Yoon Suk-yeol interfered in nominations," Lee said, "Most people know how former President Yoon treated me in 2022," adding, "In that situation, trying to tie me and the former president together as accomplices is a very far-fetched attempt."
Asked whether his position was that there had been no interference in nominations, Lee said, "The actor is what matters. A party leader interfering in nominations is, in itself, a contradiction in terms," adding, "There was nothing of the sort, and if the special counsel wants to know about someone else, I will tell them."
Regarding the "claim that the former president interfered in nominations," Lee added, "I have consistently said there were suspicious circumstances surrounding nominations," and "I have continued submitting materials to the special counsel."
However, Lee said, "Whether it meets the elements of a crime is for legal professionals to decide."
This is the first time Lee has been questioned since the special counsel formally launched the investigation on Jul. 2. The special counsel had planned to summon Lee for questioning on the 12th, but it fell through because the two sides could not coordinate.
The special counsel plans to establish the facts regarding suspicions that the former president interfered in nominations during the June 1, 2022, local elections and the parliamentary by-elections.
At the time, Lee, then the leader of the People Power Party, had claimed he had a phone call recording suggesting signs of interference in nominations. He is also a person accused in connection with the suspicions of interference in nominations.