Rep. Lee Sang-jik Accused of Embezzlement and Breach of Trust: "I Will Confidently Attend the Arrest Warrant Hearing"

Independent lawmaker Sangjik Lee / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Lee Sang-jik, an independent lawmaker from Jeonbuk Jeonju-eul, who is accused of embezzlement and breach of trust, stated that he will "confidently undergo the pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant hearing)" in response to the prosecution's request for an arrest warrant.

On the 16th, after finishing the trial for violation of the Public Official Election Act held at the Jeonju District Court, Lee met with reporters and said, "I have repeatedly conveyed my intention to fairly respond to the warrant hearing to the prosecution," adding, "What happens next is a matter for the prosecution to decide." When asked by reporters whether the parliamentary consent procedure for arrest is unnecessary, he avoided a direct answer, saying, "I am not sure about that procedure."

He then responded to the controversy over the 'privatization of Eastar Jet' by asking, "(Regarding property) I only have one apartment bought during my salaryman days, so how could I have pursued private gain?" He emphasized, "After consulting with my children, I also donated 50% of the shares of Eastar Jet affiliates." Additionally, he rebutted, "By founding Eastar Jet, I contributed a positive function by lowering airfares and breaking the monopoly."

Lee also explained the circumstances regarding the use of Eastar Jet affiliate funds for a luxury foreign car driven by his child.

He said, "Isn't it possible for the CEO of Eastar Holdings to lease a company car (with company money)?" He added, "Due to past painful experiences, I just drive a high-performance car. There are many irresponsible media reports, so please report my explanations equally."

Furthermore, he described the prosecution's request for an arrest warrant as an "intentional attempt to disgrace." Lee stated, "I have gone to the prosecution for investigation and have been subjected to a search and seizure," but "the prosecution requested the arrest warrant to disgrace me. The witch-hunt style dissemination of suspect facts must be eradicated."

Previously, the prosecution's investigation into Lee began last year after the People Power Party's Special Committee for Truth-Finding on Lee Sang-jik-Eastar Corruption Allegations and the Eastar Jet labor union filed complaints against him and Eastar Jet executives. The investigation team also indicted Lee's nephew, a financial executive at Eastar Jet, on charges of involvement in the process of Eastar Holdings acquiring Eastar Jet shares.

The investigation team believes Lee was involved in the process where, at the end of 2015, Eastar Jet group affiliates sold approximately 5.2 million shares of Eastar Jet stock worth about 54 billion KRW to a specific affiliate within the group for about 10 billion KRW, causing a loss of approximately 43 billion KRW to the affiliate.

Meanwhile, the investigation team conducted a non-custodial summons of Lee in February but recently indicted his nephew on detention, leading them to judge that Lee also needs to be detained.