Lee Jinsuk: "A Politically Motivated Investigation May Torment, But Cannot Make a Person Submit"

Claims Innocence Regarding "Alleged Personal Use of Corporate Card" on Facebook

Lee Jinsook, Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, listens to the unlimited debate (filibuster) by Roh Jongmyeon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, regarding the submission of the "Three Broadcasting Laws (Amendments to the Broadcasting Act, the Korea Broadcasting Culture Promotion Agency Act, and the Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act)" at the plenary session of the National Assembly on August 5, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Lee Jinsuk, Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, commented on the ongoing investigation into allegations of personal use of a corporate credit card during her tenure as president of Daejeon MBC, stating, "A politically motivated investigation may torment an individual, but it cannot make them submit."

On August 8, through Facebook, Chairperson Lee shared a video from the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee plenary session held on August 5, showing Shin Jeonghun, a Democratic Party committee member, urging Yoo Jaeseong, the acting Commissioner General of the National Police Agency, to expedite the investigation into her case. Lee conveyed her position in this context.

Committee member Shin stated, "It appears that the facts regarding the misuse of the corporate card have come to light through various forms of compulsory investigation, but why is the process still so sluggish? I believe that a swift compulsory investigation is necessary, and if suspicions are confirmed, immediate arrest and investigation should not be ruled out." In response, Acting Commissioner Yoo replied, "I will instruct the National Office of Investigation to proceed quickly."

Chairperson Lee asserted, "I have consistently explained, including at the National Assembly hearing, that I used the corporate card for business purposes in accordance with regulations," and added, "No amount of pressure can turn innocence into guilt."

She also pointed out that the Act on the Organization and Operation of National and Local Police stipulates, as a principle, that the Commissioner General of the National Police Agency cannot specifically direct or supervise investigations into individual cases. Regarding the exchange between Committee member Shin and Acting Commissioner Yoo, she added, "You be the judge."

Chairperson Lee was reported by Democratic Party lawmakers in July last year on charges of causing financial loss to the company by using a corporate card for personal purposes during her tenure as president of Daejeon MBC from March 2015 to January 2018.

The Yuseong Police Station in Daejeon summoned and questioned Chairperson Lee twice last month, one year after the report was filed.