Gyeonggi governor grilled by police on alleged affair

SEONGNAM, South Korea, Oct. 29 (Yonhap) — Gyeonggi Province Gov. Lee Jae-myung faced police questioning Monday over mounting allegations involving his family and extramarital affairs.

Lee arrived at the Bundang Police Station, south of Seoul, at about 09:50 a.m. Lee’s office announced last week the governor had agreed with the police to undergo the questioning. Lee left the station at about 8:25 p.m.

“I have never abused my position for personal reasons. I believe the truth will come out at the end of the police investigation,” he told reporters before entering the station. “All this may well be a blessing in disguise.”

Gyeonggi Province Gov. Lee Jae-myung takes questions from reporters on Oct. 29, 2018, after he arrived at the Bundang Police Station in Seongnam, south of Seoul, for questioning over allegations involving his family and an actress. (Yonhap)

As he left, Lee said, “I’d like to focus on running the province now, and leave all this to police and prosecutors.”

The influential politician has long been dogged by allegations involving his family and an actress who claims to have had an affair with him.

In June, the minor Bareunmirae Party filed a complaint against him, alleging that he used his mayoral power to have his brother, now deceased, hospitalized against his will and that he violated the election law by denying the suspicion.

After the end of his questioning session, Lee told reporters that it was his sister-in-law who pushed Lee’s brother into the hospital.

The party also claimed he lied during his campaign for governor about his alleged affair with the actress and pressured local companies to provide more than 16 billion won (US$14 million) to the city-affiliated pro football team in the form of advertisement charges.

Lee, who is affiliated with the ruling Democratic Party, became the governor of the province surrounding Seoul after winning a heated election in June. Lee was also a contender in the party’s presidential primary last year.

Lee has flatly denied all allegations.

Police officials said Lee only answered questions regarding his brother’s forced hospitalization, and chose to submit prepared statements when pressed about other allegations.

They also said Lee refused to return for another round of questioning.