Two Arrested for Aiding Former Vice President Lee Jong-pil's Escape in the 'Rhyme Scandal'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] Two individuals reportedly involved in aiding former Vice President Lee Jong-pil, the main culprit in the 'Lime Asset Management scandal,' were arrested on the 28th.

Judge Kim Joo-hyun of the Seoul Southern District Court held a detention hearing for Han Mo and Sung Mo, who are accused of assisting former Vice President Lee, and subsequently issued arrest warrants.

Judge Kim explained the reason for issuing the warrants, stating, "There is a risk of evidence destruction and flight."

Earlier, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office arrested two accomplices, Sung Mo and Han Mo, on the 26th on charges of 'harboring a criminal' for helping former Vice President Lee escape. However, the prosecution did not disclose specific details about the circumstances of their arrest or their relationship with former Vice President Lee.

Former Vice President Lee disappeared in November last year and remains at large. At that time, he was implicated in embezzlement charges involving approximately 80 billion KRW by the management of the KOSDAQ-listed company Lead, and an arrest warrant was requested. However, he did not appear at the detention hearing and went into hiding.

Former Vice President Lee is banned from leaving the country and is known to have no record of departure, but the prosecution has not ruled out the possibility that he fled illegally and has requested Interpol to issue a red notice.