Lee Jung-hee, the former co-chairperson of the Unified Progressive Party, appears for questioning at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office on Friday. (Lee Sang-sub/The Korea Herald)
A former progressive party leader appeared before prosecutors Friday morning for questioning over her alleged involvement in tampering with a crucial voter survey ahead of the general elections in April of last year.
Lee Jung-hee, the former co-chairwoman of the minor opposition Unified Progressive Party, entered the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office in southern Seoul at around 10 a.m.
“The unrighteous prosecution is unjustifiably pressuring the UPP and me ahead of a presidential election,” Lee told reporters, demanding the prosecution investigation be halted immediately.
The summons came after three of her aides were arrested on charges of rigging the public survey to help her win the single opposition candidacy for a parliamentary seat in Seoul’s Gwanak district.
The UPP and the main opposition Democratic United Party chose single joint candidates for the elections based on the results of telephone surveys asking voters which contenders they favored.
Lee eventually won the Gwanak race, defeating her rival from the DUP, but dropped out after revelations about her aides’ involvement in manipulating the competition results. She also resigned from her leadership post in May of this year, taking responsibility for other alleged election frauds involving the party.
The former lawmaker has denied any role in the alleged public survey rigging, saying her aides carried out the act without her knowledge.
Prosecutors, however, believe there is a high possibility Lee knew about the alleged rigging and are expected to grill her over her role in the tampering, officials said. (Yonhap News)
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
