Lee Jin-sook, former Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, who was arrested on charges including violation of the National Public Officials Act and the Public Official Election Act, speaks to reporters as she is escorted to the Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul on the 2nd. Yonhap News. 

A public dispute is unfolding between the police and the former chairperson's legal team over whether her "unlawful detention" occurred.

On the 2nd, the Seoul Yeongdeungpo Police Station issued a press release around 8:30 PM, while an investigation into the former chairperson was ongoing, to refute claims of "unlawful detention" made by her legal team.

The police stated, "We sent written summonses to the suspect six times from August 12 to September 19. Despite this, she failed to appear, and thus an arrest warrant was issued by the court and executed."

This response came after the former chairperson, during her escort to the police station, protested her innocence by shaking her handcuffs, and her lawyer informed reporters that she was being "unlawfully detained."

It is understood that the police, after making efforts to conduct a smooth investigation through normal procedures, were ultimately forced to resort to compulsory measures due to the lack of cooperation.

The fact that the police are engaging in public arguments outside the investigation room during the arrest and questioning of a suspect is considered an unusual situation.

The former chairperson's legal team maintains that the police's decision to arrest her was unjust, despite her willingness to appear.

Her lawyer, Im Moo-young, met with reporters at the police station and argued, "Summonses were received on September 9th, 15th, and 27th, but we confirmed that all of them arrived after the scheduled date. This was a premeditated move to obtain an arrest warrant by fulfilling the external condition of 'three instances of non-compliance.'"

He further stated, "On September 26th, I verbally notified the police by phone that it would be difficult to appear tomorrow (the 27th), and I also sent a written reason for non-attendance via fax, citing a conflict with official duties due to parliamentary attendance. I cannot understand the police's intentions."

Lawyer Im also posted a photo of the former chairperson in handcuffs inside the police station on his social media, claiming "misuse of handcuffs" and posting statements such as "We condemn the atrocities of the Yeongdeungpo Police Station."

 A photo posted on social media by lawyer Im Moo-young, representing former Korea Communications Commission Chairperson Lee Jin-sook. Captured from Im Moo-young's Facebook. 

Yonhap News