Police Refer 'Kim Keonhee Associate' Jongho Lee for Attorney-at-Law Act Violation
Received Money for Lobbying in Ongoing Investigation
Jongho Lee, former CEO of Black Pearl Invest and known as a close associate of First Lady Kim Keonhee, has once again been referred to prosecutors for another alleged violation of the Attorney-at-Law Act.
The Special Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency, which is currently investigating the so-called "Three Major Special Prosecutor" case, announced on March 10 that Lee has been forwarded without detention to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office on charges of violating the Attorney-at-Law Act and fraud.
Lee is accused of receiving 278.6 million won from an individual surnamed Lee, whom he was introduced to by an associate, between April 2021 and January 2023, allegedly in exchange for lobbying related to an ongoing investigation.
According to current law, individuals who are not licensed attorneys and receive or promise to receive money, valuables, or other benefits in return for handling, mediating, or arranging legal work such as representation, mediation, or lobbying, are subject to up to seven years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won.
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Separately, Lee was previously indicted for receiving money under the pretext of lobbying in a court case. Last month, he was sentenced to one year and six months in prison and ordered to forfeit 79.1 million won in a first trial, but he has appealed the verdict.
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