Lee Apologizes for Viewing Stock Trading Screen in the Main Chamber
Lee Choonseok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and the chairperson of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, denied allegations on August 5 regarding stock transactions under borrowed names, stating, "I have never opened a stock account under another person's name or engaged in any such transactions."
On the afternoon of the same day, Lee posted on Facebook, saying, "There is no excuse for having opened a stock trading screen in the main chamber of the National Assembly," while reiterating his denial.
While he apologized for accessing the stock trading screen during the plenary session, he categorically denied the allegations of borrowed-name stock transactions, which would be violations of the Real Name Financial Transaction Act and the Public Service Ethics Act.
Lee Chunseok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and chairman of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, is checking a stock account opened under another person's name at the plenary session held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 4th. Photo by The Fact
Earlier that day, Lee was captured by the media in the National Assembly plenary session using a mobile phone to view another person's account.
It was reported that he was checking and partially trading stocks worth about 100 million won, including Naver, Kakao Pay, and LG CNS, through an account under the name of an aide, not his own. According to the Public Official Ethics System, Lee has no disclosed securities holdings in his reported assets. At the time, Lee's side explained to the media that he had mistakenly brought an aide's mobile phone into the plenary chamber.
Following media reports, Democratic Party leader Jung Cheongrae instructed the party's Ethics Inspection Team to conduct a fact-finding investigation. Lee stated, "I will sincerely cooperate with the party's investigation," and once again deeply apologized for causing controversy in the sacred plenary chamber.
Lee Chunseok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and chairman of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, is checking a stock account opened under another person's name during a plenary session held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 4th. Photo by The Fact
The People Power Party launched an offensive against Lee. Song Eonseok, acting emergency committee chairperson and floor leader, told reporters at the National Assembly, "We will immediately refer this case to the National Assembly Ethics Committee and file a criminal complaint for violations of the Real Name Financial Transaction Act and other relevant laws," adding, "Chairperson Lee should immediately resign from the Legislation and Judiciary Committee."
Joo Jinwoo, a member of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee from the People Power Party and a candidate for party leader, also announced plans to file a criminal complaint against Lee for alleged violations of the Real Name Financial Transaction Act and the Public Service Ethics Act. Chief spokesperson Kwak Gyutaek criticized in a commentary, "Chairperson Lee's stock transactions under another person's name are even more shocking than former lawmaker Kim Namguk's coin transactions."
Lee Chunseok, Chairman of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, is speaking at the 1st plenary session of the 426th National Assembly (extraordinary session) held at the National Assembly on July 1, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
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