Sangjik Lee Appears for Warrant Hearing... "Hoping for the Judge's Wise Decision"

Lee Sang-jik, independent lawmaker and founder of Eastar Jet
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Lee Sang-jik, the founder of Eastar Jet and an independent lawmaker (Jeonbuk Jeonju-eul), who is undergoing a pre-trial detention hearing on charges of embezzlement and breach of trust involving hundreds of millions of won, stated, "I will sincerely explain the charges in court."

On the afternoon of the 27th, Lee met with reporters at the Jeonju District Court and said, "I hope for the wise judgment of the presiding judge." When asked how he expected the outcome of the detention hearing, he did not respond and immediately moved to the courtroom where the hearing was to be held.

On the 9th, the Criminal Division 3 of the Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Im Ilsu) requested an arrest warrant for Lee on charges including embezzlement and breach of trust under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, embezzlement in the course of business, and violation of the Political Parties Act. The investigation team had reported the intention to request an arrest warrant to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in March, but due to a request from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to refrain from politically sensitive investigations ahead of the April 7 by-elections, the warrant was requested immediately after the election.

Earlier, on the 21st, the National Assembly voted on the motion to consent to Lee's arrest, which passed with 206 votes in favor, 38 against, and 11 abstentions out of a total of 255 votes. This is the 15th time in history that a motion to consent to the arrest of a member of the National Assembly has been passed, and the second time in the 21st National Assembly following Democratic Party lawmaker Jeong Jeong-sun.

Lee is accused of conspiring with his nephew A, who was indicted in custody for causing a loss of 44 billion won by selling about 5.2 million shares of Eastar Jet stock worth approximately 54 billion won, held by Eastar Jet group affiliates, to a specific affiliate within the group for about 10 billion won in December 2015.

He is also charged with partially participating in A's embezzlement crime involving the unauthorized use of 3.8 billion won from Eastar Jet affiliates' funds and violating the Political Parties Act by operating party member councils and other offices before the 21st National Assembly election.

A, who was tried first, claimed in court on the 10th of last month that "as a practical worker at Eastar Jet, I just did as I was told," asserting that his actions were under Lee's instructions. A's lawyer also disclosed part of the indictment, stating, "According to the charges, Lee led the crime and gained economic benefits from it."

Additionally, Lee is accused of embezzling over 5.36 billion won from Eastar Jet and its affiliates between 2015 and 2019, using the funds for his elder brother's court deposit, his daughter's Porsche deposit, and his daughter's officetel rent. He caused controversy by explaining that regarding his daughter's use of the Porsche, "The Porsche was recommended as a safe car for my daughter, who had a serious traffic accident in middle school."

Lee's detention decision is expected to be announced late in the afternoon or in the early hours of the 28th.

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