Police Agency Senior Officer Suspended Over 'Influencer Investigation Cover-Up'

by Jang Heejun

Published 18 Apr.2026 12:15(KST)

Evidence of Influence Peddling Uncovered During Stock Manipulation Investigation

A senior police officer suspected of covering up an investigation into a well-known influencer's fraud case has been suspended from duty.

The Inspection Office of the National Police Agency announced on April 18, 2026, that it had suspended Superintendent A, who is affiliated with the agency's headquarters, in connection with the alleged cover-up of an investigation at the Seoul Gangnam Police Station. This action comes nine days after prosecutors raided the Seodaemun-gu Police Agency building.

Seoul Seodaemun-gu Police Agency. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

Influencer B, who worked as a model for a pilates academy franchise, was sued by franchise owners on charges including fraud in July 2024. However, in December of the same year, the Seoul Gangnam Police Station decided not to refer the case for prosecution, citing insufficient evidence. B is the wife of Mr. Lee, a wealthy individual currently under investigation for alleged stock price manipulation. Mr. Lee is also suspected of requesting Superintendent A and Chief Inspector C, who was then head of Investigation Team 1 at Seoul Gangnam Police Station, to intervene and suppress the investigation involving his wife.

The Financial and Securities Crime Division of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office previously conducted a search and seizure at the National Police Agency headquarters on April 9, 2026, and at the Seoul Gangnam Police Station on March 27, 2026. Prosecutors believe that Mr. Lee, through his personal acquaintance with Superintendent A, was introduced to Chief Inspector C, entertained them at a room salon, and provided money in exchange for suppressing the investigation into his wife's case.

Initially, prosecutors were investigating a case of stock price manipulation involving a former department head at Daishin Securities, several businesspeople, and Mr. Lee, when they discovered that Chief Inspector C had leaked investigative information. As the investigation expanded, connections to Superintendent A and evidence of improper requests concerning Mr. Lee's wife were also uncovered.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lee and others are accused of manipulating stock prices by coordinating buy and sell prices in advance to conduct matched trading. They are also accused of using customer accounts and accounts under borrowed names during this process.