Prosecutors Indict Four Additional Domestic Accomplices of Lee In-gwang, Main Culprit in Lime Scandal

Four additional domestic accomplices of Lee In-kwang, chairman of Esmo and the main culprit of the so-called 'Lime Incident' that caused a redemption suspension crisis worth about 1.6 trillion KRW, have been brought to trial.

On the 23rd, the Financial and Securities Crime Joint Investigation Division of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office announced that it had indicted Lee Mo, former CEO of DA Technology, a KOSDAQ-listed company, on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (embezzlement and breach of trust) and violating the External Audit Act by preparing and disclosing false financial statements. Previously, on the 26th of last month, the prosecution had arrested and indicted Lee for violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes involving approximately 29 billion KRW of corporate funds and for aiding Chairman Lee's flight; the charges have now been expanded.

Additionally, four others, including former DA Technology CEO A, who participated in Lee's crimes, have been indicted without detention on charges of embezzlement and breach of trust.

During the process of conducting searches and seizures on Lee and related corporations, the prosecution obtained clues regarding the whereabouts of the main culprit, Chairman Lee In-kwang. In close cooperation with Interpol and others, Chairman Lee was apprehended on March 18 in Nice, France, and extradition proceedings are currently underway. Lee In-kwang is accused of misappropriating approximately 140 billion KRW related to the Lime Incident and fleeing overseas.

Furthermore, to restore the actual damages of the victim corporations and completely confiscate criminal proceeds related to this case, the court has issued preservation orders on the assets of the defendants, which have been frozen, and other assets are still being tracked.

A representative of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office stated, "In close cooperation with the Ministry of Justice, we are proceeding swiftly with the extradition process to promptly receive custody of Lee In-kwang from France, and we will do our best to ensure strict law enforcement commensurate with the crimes against domestic accomplices who aided his flight."