Ministerial nominee for the Ministry of Planning and Budget, Lee Hye-hoon, arrives at the preparation office for the confirmation hearing, located at the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 22nd. [Photo=Yonhap News]

The police summoned and investigated Kim Soon-hwan, the secretary-general of the Committee for the Measures of Common People's Livelihoods (Minse-wi), who filed a complaint against Lee Hye-hoon, the nominee for Minister of Planning and Budget.

Secretary-General Kim submitted a complaint to the Bangbae Police Station in Seoul, alleging that "there was undue intervention (abuse of power, obstruction of business, etc.) by the nominee in the process of his second and third sons receiving a Grade 4 supplementary service rating in their physical examinations and serving as public service personnel at a workplace near their home."

He explained to reporters, "I received a tip-off that the circumstances of the physical examination rating were suspicious, and I filed the complaint because I believed a thorough investigation by the relevant authorities was necessary."

Meanwhile, on the 21st, the day before, an investigation was conducted into Kim Han-me, the representative of the Citizens' Action for Justice Reform, who had filed a complaint regarding "allegations of fraudulent apartment subscription by nominee Lee."

The case involves allegations that Lee's eldest son was selected for the Raemian Wonpentas apartment in Seocho-gu, Seoul, through a "sham marriage" scheme where the son's marriage registration was intentionally delayed to inflate the number of dependents.

Currently, the police investigation is focused on whether Lee, as a candidate for public office, exerted influence over his children's military service classifications and workplace assignments, and whether he violated any laws in the real estate subscription process.

By Reporter Lim Yo-hee