'Ssangbangwool North Korea Remittance' Lee Hwa-young Complains of Health Issues Again... Trial Postponed

Ewhayeong "Not feeling well... Please understand that it will be brief"
Mentioned gastroscopy last month and requested a date

Former Gyeonggi Province Deputy Governor for Peace Lee Hwa-young, who is on trial over allegations of illicit remittances to North Korea involving Ssangbangwool Group, has once again delayed the trial proceedings by citing health issues, following the previous hearing.

On the 2nd, the trial for Lee's bribery, violation of the Political Funds Act, and violation of the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act case, held under the jurisdiction of the Criminal Division 11 of Suwon District Court (Presiding Judge Shin Jin-woo), ended without starting the defense's cross-examination, which was scheduled after the prosecution's questioning of the defendant.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On that day, Lee told the court, "I am not feeling well," and requested, "Please allow the defense's questioning to be brief at the trial scheduled for the 4th." Lee's attorney, Kim Hyun-chul, explained the situation, saying, "It seems the medication (the defendant) is taking is causing problems. He has been experiencing continuous diarrhea," and indicated that continuing the trial would be difficult. The court also noted, "Even to the naked eye, the defendant's complexion does not look good," and concluded that it would be difficult to proceed with the trial any further.

However, Lee's side had previously requested a postponement at the trial held on the 29th of last month, stating, "Since the recent gastroscopy examination, he has been unable to sleep due to abdominal pain and diarrhea."

Accordingly, Lee's trial is scheduled to be held on the 4th. It is expected that the defense's questioning of the defendant and the prosecution's re-examination will proceed, with the closing arguments anticipated to take place as early as the 4th or the 8th.

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