[2020 National Audit] Minister Chu: "Negotiating Extradition Request for Former Optimus CEO Lee"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae appeared at the National Assembly Judiciary Committee's audit of the Ministry of Justice and other agencies on the 12th, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae stated that she is "coordinating with the counterpart country to request the extradition of the criminal" in relation to Lee Hyuk-jin, the former founder of Optimus Asset Management. It is known that Lee is currently staying abroad.

Minister Choo made this remark on the 12th during the Ministry of Justice's national audit held by the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, in response to a question from Yoon Han-hong, a member of the People Power Party, asking whether an extradition request had been made for the former representative.

However, Minister Choo said, "Extradition requests are treaty matters, so there are parts that cannot be disclosed due to diplomatic issues," adding, "The charges and various reasons must be included, but those are matters for consultation between the two countries, so I cannot say more."

When Representative Yoon repeatedly asked, "Does that mean the extradition request has not been made?" she replied, "We are in the process; it does not mean it has not been done," and added, "The Ministry of Justice is also making efforts to expedite the process."

Meanwhile, Lee was booked on charges including embezzlement of company funds amounting to about 7 billion won during the early days of Optimus's establishment, but he left the country during an investigation by the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office in March 2018. The prosecution issued a suspension of indictment against Lee.

Separately from the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office case, the Economic Crime Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, which is investigating the Optimus fund fraud case, plans to verify suspicions of political and governmental lobbying during the early days of Optimus's establishment as soon as they secure Lee's custody.

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