Seoul, Oct 23 (NationPress) South Korean President Lee Jae Myung emphasized the necessity of imposing strict penalties on law enforcement personnel accused of misusing their power to either hide or fabricate cases, labeling such behaviors as "unforgivable".

His comments came during a conference with senior advisors following allegations from lawmakers that certain prosecutors had inappropriately influenced investigations during this year's parliamentary audit sessions, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.

"Concerns were raised regarding misconduct by some law enforcement agencies during the recent parliamentary audit. Such actions jeopardize democracy and the rule of law and are absolutely unacceptable as they disturb public order," Lee stated, without specifying particular instances.

He noted that some investigators had misused their official roles to obscure clear illegal activities or create fictitious cases, accusing them of "disrupting public order and seeking personal gain."

"It is imperative that we thoroughly investigate the truth and take decisive action against those responsible, ensuring they are punished according to legal standards and principles," he asserted.

Last week, Prosecutor Moon Ji-seok emotionally testified that he was pressured by the prosecution's leadership to exclude crucial evidence in a severance pay case related to Coupang, South Korea's leading e-commerce company.

During additional audit sessions, lawmakers from the ruling party expressed concerns that some prosecutors allegedly treated former Gyeonggi Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young to alcohol and raw salmon while he was questioned about his involvement in an illegal remittance to North Korea in 2019, attempting to coerce unfavorable testimony against him.

In a related matter, South Korea's former Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup attended a court hearing on Thursday regarding the possibility of his arrest due to accusations of interfering in a military investigation into the 2023 death of a Marine conscript.

Lee appeared at the Seoul Central District Court after special counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon sought a warrant on charges of abuse of power, among other allegations, related to this interference.

“I will fully clarify my position in court,” Lee told reporters prior to the hearing, firmly rejecting the accusations against him.

A decision regarding his potential arrest is expected later today.

The case revolves around claims that the former Yoon Suk Yeol administration intervened in the Marine Corps' investigation into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun in July 2023 to allegedly absolve a senior Marine commander from responsibility.

The former minister, who was in office when Chae died, is accused of ordering that the investigation not be transferred to the police and later retrieving it after Yoon expressed anger upon being briefed about the situation.

Lee has acknowledged the incident involving Yoon but insists he was never instructed to exclude any individual from the suspect list or halt the probe's transfer.