Prosecutors Demand 10-Year Prison Sentence for Lawmaker Lee Sang-jik on Charges of Embezzlement and Breach of Trust

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The prosecution has demanded a 10-year prison sentence for Lee Sang-jik, the founder of Eastar Jet and an independent lawmaker representing Jeonbuk Jeonju-eul, who has been tried on charges of embezzlement and breach of trust involving hundreds of billions of won related to Eastar Jet.

On the 24th, the prosecution stated at a trial held at the Jeonju District Court's 11th Criminal Division (Presiding Judge Kang Dong-won), "He abandoned his duties as a member of the National Assembly and privatized the company, causing damage," and announced, "We demand 10 years imprisonment and a fine of 55,476,280,000 won."

Lee was indicted on charges of causing damage to the company by selling Eastar Jet shares worth hundreds of billions of won at low prices to affiliates such as Eastar Holdings, where his children were shareholders, between 2015 and 2018, and embezzling tens of billions of won.

The prosecution estimates that the amount embezzled and misappropriated by Lee and his family reaches 55.4 billion won. In particular, it suspects that from 2013 to 2019, Lee used money from Eastar Jet and its affiliates for personal lawyer fees, living expenses, contract and deposit payments related to a Porsche leased by his daughter, and rent for his daughter's officetel.

Meanwhile, Lee was released on bail on October 28 after being detained during the trial. The sentencing hearing for Lee is scheduled for January 12 next year.

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