Regarding the suspicion that money bags and other valuables were distributed at the Democratic National Convention last year, Rep. Lee Sung-man (Independent, Incheon Vice Pyong-kap) appeared before the prosecution today (19th) as a suspect.

This is the first time that an active member of Parliament has been summoned and investigated in connection with the "money bag allegations."

On the 12th of last month, it has been 37 days since prosecutors launched a forcible investigation, including the seizure and search of Rep. Lee and independent Rep. Yoon Kwan-seok.

Rep. Lee Sung-man wrote on his social media yesterday that he would "face the investigation process confidently to reveal the truth and prove his innocence," and it seems likely that he will reveal his position when he meets with reporters ahead of the investigation.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 (Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kim Yong-chul) plans to investigate the process of distributing the money envelopes, the source of the funds, and the specific recipients of the funds.

In March 2021, Lee was accused of being involved in the process of 3 million won in cash, which was arranged by former Incheon City Vice Mayor Cho Taek-sang from an acquaintance ahead of the party's convention, was delivered to the regional head of the Korea Water Resources Corporation in Gangrae-gu after an audit of the former chief executive.

The prosecutor's office plans to start investigating the lawmaker today and continue to summon the main suspect in connection with the "money bag suspicion."

Rep. Yoon Kwan-seok, who was on the search list along with Lee, is expected to be summoned as a suspect as early as next week.

In addition, the prosecution is known to have identified several active members of the National Assembly who received the envelopes of money, so it is expected that a mandatory investigation will be carried out against the group of recipients soon.

The prosecution believes that the envelopes of 1 million won were divided into three groups, including an active member of Congress, a regional headquarters manager, and a regional situation room manager, and a prosecution official said, "In the case of active lawmakers, investigations are being carried out to a large extent, including the identification of the recipients."

(Photo=Yonhap News)