Jin-sook Lee Responds to Controversy Over 85 Million Won Weekend Use of Corporate Card as "Normal Business Activity"

Candidate for Broadcasting Commission Chairperson Hearing on the 24th
'Like' on 5·18 Defamatory Post Was "Unintentional"

Candidate for Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, Lee Jin-sook, on the 24th, refuted opposition party claims regarding the controversy over misuse of corporate cards during her tenure at MBC, stating, "I was simply conducting normal business activities."

Candidate for Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, Lee Jin-sook, is heading to speak at the confirmation hearing held on the 24th at the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the same day, Hwang Jeong-ah, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, claimed at Lee's confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee, "The candidate used the corporate card 342 times on Saturdays and Sundays alone, amounting to 85 million won."

In response, Lee said, "You mentioned weekend golf, but what would you say if I played golf on weekdays? I was simply conducting normal business activities. This would be laughable in a regular company," she replied.

Representative Hwang stated, "From 2009 to 2015, the candidate's corporate card payments at hotels totaled 216 transactions amounting to 59 million won." She claimed that 152 transactions worth over 50 million won were made at a five-star hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, and 7.5 million won was spent at a high-end restaurant in the 63 Building.

In response, Lee said, "That amount is combined over several years," adding, "At that time, MBC was a broadcasting company with sales of 1.8 trillion won." She further explained, "As an executive, the corporate card was used not only for advertising acquisition and external public relations but also for employees within the government."

Regarding Lee's expression of 'Like' on a post claiming that the May 18 Democratic Uprising was an incident incited by rioters, she said, "I clicked 'Like' thoughtlessly," and referred to such criticism as a "'Like' guilt by association."

Lee stated, "I will not respond to questions about my thoughts on the Sewol ferry disaster or the Cheonan sinking theories," and added, "I would appreciate your understanding."