Son registered as representative of Wooaran sales site
Currently serving as an active-duty reservist
May face disciplinary action under military law if violations are confirmed
Comedian Lee Kyungsil's son, Son Boseung, is under an internal investigation regarding allegations that he continued to engage in for-profit activities during his military service. On December 5, Sports Kyunghyang reported that the Inspector General's Office of the 52nd Division of the Capital Defense Command, under the Ministry of National Defense, had received a report concerning suspicions that Son Boseung, currently serving as an Army supplementary service reservist, violated the prohibition on engaging in for-profit business and holding concurrent positions. The Inspector General's Office has begun a fact-finding investigation into the matter.
Son Boseung entered boot camp in June and has been serving as a supplementary service reservist since July 9. Article 30 of the current "Act on the Status and Service of Military Personnel" strictly prohibits military personnel from engaging in for-profit activities or holding concurrent positions, and violations are subject to disciplinary action if confirmed. The Inspector General's Office is reportedly investigating the actual period during which Son operated the online store, whether any profits were generated, whether he applied for permission to hold a concurrent position, and whether his business activities interfered with his military duties.
Article 19 of the same law prohibits military personnel from independently managing for-profit businesses, such as commercial enterprises, to seek personal gain. Even for non-profit activities such as lecturing or writing, Article 20 of the Enforcement Decree requires personnel to obtain permission for concurrent positions. If the investigation confirms any legal violations, disciplinary action may be imposed following a review by the disciplinary committee. Supplementary service reservists are subject to the same disciplinary regulations as active-duty soldiers, which means they may face penalties such as assignment to a military disciplinary unit or restrictions on leave.
The controversy arose when it was recently revealed that Son Boseung, who is currently serving in the military, was registered as the representative of Prestige, the official sales website for "Wooaran," an egg brand launched by his mother, Lee Kyungsil. The online store sold "Eggshell Number 4" eggs at 15,000 won for a pack of 30, and faced criticism for being "excessively expensive for the quality," leading to its closure on November 26. In response, Lee Kyungsil explained, "My son did not engage in any for-profit activities. He was registered as the representative before enlisting, but he was not actually involved in the business."
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