Court Rejects Lee Sang-jik's 'Recusal Request' on Embezzlement and Breach of Trust Charges... "Do Not Obstruct the Trial"

Independent lawmaker Lee Sang-jik Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Independent lawmaker Lee Sang-jik (Jeonbuk Jeonju-eul, currently detained), who was indicted on charges of embezzlement and breach of trust involving hundreds of billions of won, filed a 'request for recusal of the trial court,' but the court dismissed it.

On the 9th, the 11th Criminal Division of Jeonju District Court (Presiding Judge Kang Dong-won) held a continuation hearing for Lee and dismissed the recusal request submitted by Lee's side, who was absent from the trial that day. The court stated, "It is clear that the intention is to delay the trial."

The court said, "The trial scheduled for today will proceed as planned, but all trials in July will be canceled," and added, "Prepare for the trial by August 11 (the next hearing date)." It also repeatedly emphasized to the defense, "Please inform the defendant not to request changes to the trial dates or engage in acts that obstruct the trial."

Lee, the founder of Eastar Jet, was indicted along with his nephew A, who was detained on charges of conspiring to cause damage to the company by selling Eastar Jet shares worth approximately 54 billion won, held by Eastar Jet Group affiliates, at a low price to a specific affiliate within the group from 2015 to 2018. Lee is also accused of partially participating in A's embezzlement of 3.8 billion won from Eastar Jet affiliates' funds.

Six others, including Choi Jong-gu, former CEO of Eastar Jet, and Park Seong-gwi, former head of finance, who were identified as accomplices of Lee, were also brought to trial in this case.

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