Yoon Seok-yeol Orders Investigation into 'Lime Entertainment Allegations' (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol has abruptly ordered an investigation into prosecutors suspected of receiving lobbying, including alcohol entertainment, related to the Lime Asset Management redemption suspension case.

On the 17th, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office stated, "The Prosecutor General instructed the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, which is investigating the overall lobbying allegations, to promptly investigate the 'prosecutor misconduct allegations' and to strictly and thoroughly determine whether there is any criminal liability."

Kim Bong-hyun, the former chairman of Star Mobility and the actual principal of Lime, claimed the day before that he had lobbied with about 10 million won worth of alcohol entertainment and money to a former high-ranking lawyer and three current prosecutors. He also revealed, "The lawyer said, 'The talks with the person in charge of the Lime case at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office are finished. If you catch ruling party politicians and Kang Ki-jung, the senior secretary for political affairs at the Blue House, after reporting to Yoon Seok-yeol (Prosecutor General), you will be allowed to stand trial on bail.'"

Prosecutor General Yoon's order for investigation came just one day after Kim's exposure of the 'lobbying allegations.' It appears that the Prosecutor General judged that a swift fact-finding was necessary as the impact of Kim's revelations grew.

Meanwhile, Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae also ordered the commencement of an inspection related to this matter the day before, and with the formal investigation now underway, the probe into lobbying allegations involving political and government circles is expanding.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.