Detention Warrant to Be Requested Within 48 Hours
The special prosecutor team led by Min Jungki, which is investigating allegations involving Kim Gunhee, has apprehended Lee Kihoon, Vice Chairman of Sambu Construction (and concurrently Chairman of Wellbiotech), on September 10. Lee had been under investigation for the "Sambu Construction stock price manipulation" case and had been on the run.
The special prosecutor team announced to the media that, in cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Criminal Investigation Unit, they arrested Vice Chairman Lee at 6:14 p.m. on this day under a warrant. This arrest comes 56 days after Lee fled without appearing at the pretrial detention warrant hearing on August 17. He will be transported by vehicle and held at the Seoul Detention Center.
Vice Chairman Lee is accused of participating in Sambu Construction stock price manipulation between May and September 2023, allegedly obtaining illicit gains worth several tens of billions of won (violating the Capital Markets Act). On July 14, the special prosecutor team requested arrest warrants for Lee, Sambu Construction Chairman Lee Iljun, former CEO Lee Eunggeun, and former Chairman Cho Seongok.
The court issued arrest warrants for Chairman Lee and former CEO Lee, citing concerns about destruction of evidence and flight risk. However, the warrant for former Chairman Cho was denied due to insufficient evidence, among other reasons. Subsequently, Chairman Lee and former CEO Lee were indicted while in custody, and former Chairman Cho is undergoing further investigation.
Min Jungki, the special prosecutor in charge of the case related to allegations against Kim Gunhee, wife of former President Yoon Sukyeol. 2025.7.2 Photo by Jo Yongjun
Vice Chairman Lee, identified as the planner and main perpetrator of the stock price manipulation, had been in hiding after failing to appear at the warrant hearing. There were even reports that he was attempting to flee the country illegally. The special prosecutor team obtained an arrest warrant and attempted to apprehend him, and when those efforts were unsuccessful, they requested an emergency public wanted notice from the National Office of Investigation. A wanted poster featuring Lee's physical description and details of the charges was subsequently released.
The special prosecutor team plans to request a detention warrant for Lee after questioning him. A suspect who has been arrested must either have a detention warrant requested by the court or be released within 48 hours of the time of arrest.
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