Handonghun "Lime Reinvestigation, Core of Punishment Is a Situation Where Privileged Class Suffers Less"

Regarding the reinvestigation of the 'Lime Incident,' Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, stated, "Generally, ordinary citizens suffer damages while the privileged class experiences less harm, and this point is the core focus of such investigations and punishments."

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon is entering the briefing room at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 14th to announce the Liberation Day special pardon. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

On the 30th, during the comprehensive policy questioning at the National Assembly's Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, Minister Han responded to the accusation by Sujin Jo, a member of the People Power Party, who pointed out that "just before the large-scale suspension of redemptions was announced, prominent figures including a four-term lawmaker who served as the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly illegally used funds from other customers' investments to cover redemption payments for the funds invested in by these influential individuals."

Additionally, in response to Jo's question, "Isn't the asset management company's act of damaging the profits of other funds for the benefit of specific individuals or corporations itself potentially illegal?" Minister Han answered, "It is illegal," and added, "the relevant authorities will conduct a thorough investigation."

Regarding the extradition of Lee Hyuk-jin, former CEO and founder of Optimus, who is currently residing in the United States, Minister Han said, "(The Securities Crime Joint Investigation Team) has been closely coordinating with the U.S. side for extradition since its recent establishment," and "I can report that there has been significant progress."

Earlier, the Financial Supervisory Service announced that upon re-examining the Lime Incident, which caused a large-scale redemption crisis, it confirmed preferential treatment involving prominent figures such as multi-term lawmakers. Kim Sang-hee, a member of the Democratic Party who was named as a beneficiary of such preferential treatment, completely denied the allegations. The prosecution has now commenced a reinvestigation.