'No Prosecution for Entrepreneur and Former Comedian Lee Won-seung on Suspected Violation of Farmland Act'

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The police have concluded with no charges the investigation into allegations that businessman and former comedian Lee Won-seung illegally used farmland in the Gapyeong-gun area of Gyeonggi Province for other purposes.

On the 25th, according to the police, the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Investigation Unit of the Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency decided not to prosecute Lee and his spouse, who were reported for violations of the Farmland Act, Waste Management Act, and Road Act. The police found no evidence of violations regarding the Farmland Act and Waste Management Act, and dismissed the charges related to the Road Act. Dismissal is a procedure to close a case when there is a clear reason not to prosecute or when further investigation is unnecessary.

Earlier, Lee and others were reported last year by a businessman on these charges. The accuser claimed, "Lee and his spouse purchased farmland in the Gapyeong-eup area but did not farm it; instead, they installed and operated an outdoor stage." He also alleged, "They demolished illegal buildings under construction on the farmland, illegally buried waste nearby, and installed iron gates obstructing access to the opened forest road, committing various illegal acts." However, after investigating related parties and analyzing materials, the police reviewed the legal aspects and judged that there was insufficient evidence to consider Lee in violation of the relevant laws and that no crime was established under the law.

Meanwhile, Lee debuted in 1982 through the 2nd MBC Radio Gag Contest and gained popularity. In 1998, he opened and operated a Napoli pizza restaurant in Daehak-ro, Seoul. After settling in Ihwa-ri, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, Lee established the incorporated association 'Eoseolpeun Yeongeuk Maeul' (Clumsy Theater Village) with the intention of turning the village into a theater village. The concert stage location organized by this association is known to be the farmland that triggered this report.