Lee Ki-heung, President of the Korea Sports Council (70), filed an appeal against the first trial court's dismissal of his request for a suspension of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's disciplinary action to suspend his duties, but the court rejected the appeal.
The Administrative Division 3 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Choi Soo-jin) dismissed Lee's appeal on the 10th in the appellate trial of his request for suspension against the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
If Lee files another appeal, the Supreme Court will make the final decision.
Earlier, on November 11 last year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism notified Lee of the suspension of his duties based on the investigation results of the Government Joint Public Service Inspection Team of the Office for Government Policy Coordination.
The inspection team also referred Lee and others to the police for investigation on charges including illegal hiring of employees, demands for sponsored goods, and private use of sponsored goods.
In response, Lee filed a lawsuit to cancel the suspension order at the Seoul Administrative Court the next day and requested a suspension of the enforcement.
Meanwhile, the next election for the Sports Council president is scheduled to be held on the 14th. Including Lee, who is seeking a third term, six candidates have entered the race.
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