[2022 National Audit] Political Affairs Committee Issues Accompaniment Order to Former Bithumb Chairman Lee Jeong-hoon

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ji Yeon-jin] At the National Assembly's Financial Services Commission audit held on the 6th, a summons will be issued for Lee Jeong-hoon, former CEO of Bithumb, who was selected as a witness.

Baek Hye-ryeon, Chairperson of the Political Affairs Committee, said during the morning session of the audit, "Since the selection of Lee Jeong-hoon, former chairman of Bithumb, as a witness was agreed upon by both ruling and opposition parties, a summons will be issued for his attendance today."

Min Byung-duk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated from the start of the audit, "There is public suspicion that Lee Jeong-hoon, former chairman of Bithumb, is involved in price manipulation of coins by Bithumb," adding, "Arowana Coin has unresolved allegations of slush fund creation by its issuer, Hangul and Computer, and due to lack of regulatory oversight, we requested him as a witness."

He criticized, "However, the reason for non-attendance is absurd," saying, "He claimed health reasons such as depression and panic disorder prevent him from meeting outsiders and engaging in normal activities, but he appeared as a defendant at the Central District Court criminal trial on the 4th and actively responded." He continued, "Arowana is a different case from the criminal case Lee is currently involved in," emphasizing, "He can refuse to testify on matters related to the trial, but cannot refuse other matters."

He added, "This is a deliberate absence, and he is avoiding attendance with bizarre logic," and "As this is an important time to identify the problems and causes of virtual assets, please issue a summons."

Earlier, Lee submitted a letter of non-attendance to the Political Affairs Committee members on the 30th of last month, stating, "Due to health issues and criminal litigation, it is difficult to attend the audit as a witness on the 6th." He explained, "Since 2020, I have been diagnosed with severe depression and panic disorder. I have been unable to engage in normal activities such as meeting outsiders, and have long since stepped down from management."