Ostem Implant Employee Embezzles 188 Billion Won, Purchases Hundreds of Kilograms of Gold Bars

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Police have launched a manhunt after it was revealed that Ohstem Implant employee Lee Mo (45), accused of embezzling 188 billion KRW of company funds, purchased a large quantity of gold bars.

According to the police on the 5th, the Gangseo Police Station in Seoul has identified circumstances in which Lee bought hundreds of 1kg gold bars and is investigating the purchase details, transportation methods, and the whereabouts of the gold bars.

A police official stated, "We are confirming the exact time Lee purchased the gold bars," adding, "We are also investigating whether the gold bars were bought with embezzled money."

Currently, a 1kg gold bar is traded at a price exceeding 80 million KRW. The value of the gold bars Lee purchased is estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of KRW.

The police also discovered that just before Lee disappeared on December 30 last year, he gifted three buildings located in Paju, Gyeonggi Province?one each to his wife, younger sister, and an acquaintance?and are examining whether this is related to the embezzlement of funds. It is reported that Lee had owned these buildings for several years.

Additionally, the police have uncovered evidence that Lee dispersed the embezzled funds across multiple bank accounts and are investigating further.

Meanwhile, Ohstem Implant announced on the 3rd of this month that it had filed a complaint on the 31st of last month against Lee, who was in charge of company fund management, on charges of embezzlement (violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Economic Crimes). The estimated amount embezzled is 188 billion KRW. The company believes this incident was a solo crime committed by Lee.

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