[Exclusive] Lee Jong-pil, Former Vice President and Key Figure in the 'Lime Scandal,' Flees Korea... Interpol Issues Red Notice

Last Seen After Escape in November Last Year
Suspected to Have Stayed in Busan and Illegally Entered Neighboring Countries
Lime 'Qian Zhu' Seems to Be Hiding Domestically

Victims of Lime Asset Management funds held a press conference on the 21st of last month in front of the Southern District Prosecutors' Office in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, urging the prosecution to conduct a swift investigation. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Gwan-ju and Yoo Byung-don] It has been confirmed through our investigation that Lee Jong-pil, former Vice President of Lime Asset Management and a key suspect in the 'Lime scandal,' has already fled overseas.

According to authorities on the 26th, Interpol issued a red notice for Lee at the request of domestic investigative agencies. Lee, who fled before the warrant hearing, is believed to have stayed in Busan before stowing away and escaping to a neighboring country. Currently, authorities are understood to have narrowed down the country to which Lee fled.

Lee is regarded as a 'key man' in uncovering the Lime scandal. He played a central role in growing the Lime fund from 1 trillion won in January 2017 to approximately 5.7 trillion won as of the end of July last year. Although an arrest warrant was issued by the Seoul Southern District Court on November 15 last year, he fled. It has been confirmed that he moved to Busan afterward. While there was a prevailing view that Lee was staying in the country under the protection of certain factions, it has now been confirmed that Interpol issued a red notice for him.

Interpol notices are 'international warrants' requested by authorities to secure suspects who have fled abroad. In particular, a red notice is the highest level of alert issued for serious international fugitives such as murderers, robbers, or economic criminals who have caused damages exceeding 500 million won.

There are three individuals related to the Lime scandal who have been issued Interpol red notices, including Lee. Another is Kim, chairman of the real estate development company 'Metropolitan.' This company, which pursued real estate development projects in Jeju Island and Seoul's Hapjeong-dong, received 250 billion won in fund investments raised by Lime. Kim is suspected of embezzling 200 billion won from this amount. The identity of the third Interpol wanted individual has not been disclosed.

It has been confirmed that Kim, former chairman of Star Mobility and known as a key figure and 'money master' in the Lime scandal alongside Lee, has not been subject to an Interpol request by the authorities.

Regarding this, a prosecution official stated, "This measure was taken in case Lee fled abroad, but so far, there is no confirmation that he has fled overseas."