Lee Sun-hee's 'Corporate Card Misuse' Ends in Fine... "Regret Using Ignorance as an Excuse"

Fine Summary Order
"Humbly Accepting with a Reflective Heart"

Singer Lee Sun-hee, who was investigated on charges of misappropriating company funds for personal use, received a summary order for a fine. Lee acknowledged this, stating, "I humbly accept it with a repentant heart."

Singer Lee Sun-hee. [Photo by Hook Entertainment]

On the 29th, Lee issued a statement saying, "The investigative agency determined that some of the corporate card usage records of my personal corporation, One Entertainment, from 2011 to 2022 were difficult to prove as business-related. Accordingly, a summary order for a fine was issued, and I humbly accepted it with a repentant heart." One Entertainment was led by Lee as CEO from 2013 until it was liquidated in June 2022. At that time, not only Lee but also her family members were found to have privately misused the corporate card, but Lee completely denied the related charges during the police investigation.

While acknowledging the breach of trust regarding her personal corporation through the summary order, she denied any charges related to her agency, Hook Entertainment. Lee explained, "Last year, I underwent intense investigations by the authorities regarding allegations related to Hook Entertainment, but the investigative agency found no issues concerning other allegations." This refers to suspicions that Hook Entertainment’s funds flowed into One Entertainment.

Lee said, "Over the past 40 years, I have lived as a public figure singer loved by many, and I have always been meticulous about even the smallest matters. I deeply reflected on the things I missed by using ignorance as an excuse," adding, "Above all, I sincerely apologize once again to the many fans who found comfort and hope in my songs for 40 years. From now on, I will live without shame solely as the singer Lee Sun-hee."

Within Hook Entertainment, where Lee is affiliated, various controversies arose as singer and actor Lee Seung-gi and CEO Kwon Jin-young engaged in legal disputes over settlement payments. During this process, Lee faced calls for accountability because she held an executive position at Hook Entertainment.

CEO Kwon Jin-young Accused of Embezzling 4 Billion Won and Proxy Prescription of Sleeping Pills

The settlement dispute escalated into accusations of embezzlement against CEO Kwon. The police believe that from 2012 until October last year, Kwon illegally used 4 billion won of the agency’s funds. Kwon is also charged with trading stocks using undisclosed material information during Hook Entertainment’s merger and acquisition by Chorokbaem Media.

Moreover, Kwon’s proxy prescription of sleeping pills has come to light. From January to July 2022, Kwon allegedly instructed two employees to obtain prescriptions for Stilnox, a psychotropic drug, receiving 17 sleeping pills over three occasions. The employees reportedly had no sleep disorders but received prescriptions based on false symptoms. Consequently, the prosecution demanded a three-year prison sentence for Kwon on the 5th. The sentencing date is August 8.

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