President Lee Orders Thorough Investigation into "Proxy Stock Trading Allegations" Against Lee Choonseok, Citing Seriousness of the Matter
by Lim Chulyoung
Published 06 Aug.2025 11:55(KST)
President Lee Orders Immediate Dismissal of Lee Choonseok from National Policy Planning Committee
Lawmaker Lee Spotted Checking Stock Account During National Assembly Plenary Session
Lee Choonseok Leaves Democratic Party on August 5... Party Leader Jung Chungrae Moves for Expulsion
President Lee Jaemyung has stated that he takes the allegations of proxy stock trading involving lawmaker Lee Choonseok, who left the party over the scandal, very seriously. President Lee instructed authorities to swiftly uncover the facts and conduct a thorough and impartial investigation. He also gave an additional order for the immediate dismissal of Lee Choonseok from the National Policy Planning Committee.
Kang Yujeong, spokesperson for the presidential office, said during a briefing at the Yongsan presidential office on August 6, "President Lee said he takes the allegations surrounding Lee Choonseok's stock trading, including proxy trading and the use of insider information, very seriously." She continued, "He instructed that the facts be established quickly and that a strict and impartial investigation be conducted." Kang Yujeong added, "President Lee also ordered the immediate dismissal of Lee Choonseok from the National Policy Planning Committee." Lee Choonseok had been serving as the head of the second economic subcommittee of the committee.
The allegations of proxy stock trading against Lee Choonseok surfaced after media outlets captured him in the National Assembly plenary chamber viewing another person's account on his mobile phone. He was seen checking and partially trading about 100 million won worth of stocks?including Naver, Kakao Pay, and LG CNS?through an account under his aide's name rather than his own. In the past, Lee Choonseok's publicly disclosed asset reports in the public official ethics system showed no securities holdings at all.
Lee Choonseok's side explained to the media that he had mistakenly brought his aide's mobile phone into the plenary chamber, but the controversy only grew. On the night of August 5, Lee Choonseok left the Democratic Party. Subsequently, Democratic Party leader Jung Chungrae announced that Lee Choonseok would be expelled from the party due to the proxy stock trading allegations. For the position of chair of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, which Lee Choonseok had held, the party nominated Choo Mi-ae, a six-term lawmaker considered a potential candidate for Speaker of the National Assembly.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.