Former Broadcaster Who Threw Eggs at Chairman Lee Jae-yong... Posted on SNS "Threw 2 Eggs"

Imari, Former Public Recruitment MC and Actor,
Expresses Through Her SNS... "May the Trial Fail" Post Included

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong is attending the continuation of the first trial for 'accounting fraud and unfair merger' held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu on the morning of the 1st, while dodging an egg thrown at him. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong, who was attending a trial concerning allegations of unfair merger between Samsung C&T Corporation and Cheil Industries, was nearly hit by an egg.

Chairman Lee arrived at the west gate of the Seoul Seocho District Court Complex around 9:40 a.m. on the 1st to attend the trial scheduled for 10 a.m. As he got out of the car and was about to walk toward the courthouse building, an egg flew from his left side.

The egg fell near Chairman Lee on the ground, but he appeared startled. Court security guards quickly surrounded him.

The person who threw the egg at Chairman Lee was identified as broadcaster Lee Maeri. Afterwards, Lee posted a nonsensical message with improper spacing on her social media, saying, "I threw two eggs at Lee Jae-yong when he appeared at the trial. Only giving loans, no overseas business trip expenses, no apology, no compensation, are you crazy about forgiveness cooperation for public interest? Only giving loans is why Korean soccer collapsed. May Lee Jae-yong's trial fail too. I don't care about the ambassador."

She also said, "Samsung prosecution investigation is annoying. Lee Maeri’s bank account must be settled first for ten years. My innocent mother’s living expenses are more important than Lee Jae-yong," implying some dissatisfaction related to financial issues.

Earlier, in April, Lee held a one-person protest in front of the Seoul Central District Court with a placard stating "Chairman Lee Jae-yong protects sexual offenders." However, it is known that Lee has no special connection with Samsung, and the exact reason for her actions remains unclear. The court is considering filing a complaint against her or restricting her attendance in the courtroom.

Broadcaster and actor Imaeri.

Lee debuted in 1994 as a professional MC through MBC’s 3rd public recruitment and was active in broadcasting before transitioning to acting. She appeared in dramas such as 'Yeon Gaesomun,' 'Insuni is Pretty,' 'Cheonhailsaek Park Jeong-geum,' 'Queen of Housewives,' and 'New Tales of Gisaeng.' Her last acting work was the 2014 broadcast 'KBS Drama Special - The Taste of Curry.'

During the 2019 AFC Asian Cup soccer match when Korea faced Qatar in the quarterfinals, Lee stirred controversy by supporting Qatar. Since the United Arab Emirates, where the tournament was held, had severed diplomatic ties with Qatar due to political issues, and Lee waved the Qatari flag enthusiastically in the Korean cheering section, she was criticized by domestic soccer fans and Korean residents in the UAE. Qatar won the tournament, and Lee was later appointed as a promotional ambassador for the Qatar national soccer team, even attending the 2019 Copa Am?rica in Brazil as part of the Qatari team delegation.

She developed a favorable impression of Qatar while working on Qatar-related activities during a time when she was physically and mentally exhausted from broadcasting. In interviews with the media, she referred to Qatar as her "second homeland." Currently running a company called Mariam Communication and promoting the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Lee traveled to Qatar around the World Cup opening but returned early without significant activities on site.