Arrest of ‘right-hand man’

Opposition leader could be next target of investigation Jeong Jin-sang, vice chief of staff to Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), was arrested early Saturday morning over bribery and other charges connected to a high-profile real estate development project. Jeong, widely known as Lee’s “right-hand man,” is suspected of receiving nearly 140 million won ($105,000) between 2013 and 2020 from real estate developers in return for business favors for the project in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, while Lee was the city’s mayor.

Although a request earlier this month for an arrest warrant for Jeong was dismissed, the Seoul Central District Court granted it on Nov. 19, stating that there was a risk of him destroying evidence and running away. Jeong denied all of the allegations against him, but the court’s granting of the warrant shows that the charges the prosecution brought against him have been vindicated to a certain extent.

Earlier this month, Kim Yong, deputy head of the DPK’s Institute for Democracy think tank and another close aide of Lee, was indicted on charges of receiving 847 million won in illegal political funds from property developers. With the arrest of his two confidants, Lee could be the next target of the prosecution’s investigation amid speculation that he might be summoned for questioning as early as December.

The liberal DPK is reacting angrily, claiming that the investigation into the closest aides of the party leader is an attempt to destroy the main opposition party. In a Facebook post Saturday, Lee said, “Once the smoke clears, reality will come to light. I believe that the truth will never sink no matter how fiercely the blade of manipulation is wielded,” defending Jeong, whom he once called his “close political companion.”

But given that the court issued a warrant for Jeong following an eight-hour review, it is doubtful how many people will accept his repeated arguments of manipulation without suggesting any plausible grounds. Lee should clear up various suspicions raised against him more concretely and seek the public’s understanding, if necessary.