Special counsel Min Joong-ki's investigators searched the home of Lee Jong-ho on Saturday as part of expanding corruption probes targeting former first lady Kim Keon Hee. The team confiscated Lee's mobile phone during operations at his Seongnam residence and vehicle. Lee previously served as head of Blackpearl Invest and faces allegations of violating legal practice regulations. Authorities have ordered him to report for questioning on Monday. Prosecutors suspect Lee accepted 81 million won from an associate of Kim Keon Hee.
The payment allegedly secured favorable legal outcomes in Kim's stock manipulation proceedings. Lee maintains his innocence against these charges. Court records show Lee played a central role in manipulating Deutsch Motors' share prices from 2009 through 2012. The Supreme Court issued him a suspended prison sentence this past April for these financial crimes.
Investigators from another special counsel unit previously raided Lee's property while examining alleged government interference in a 2023 Marine serviceman fatality case.
The payment allegedly secured favorable legal outcomes in Kim's stock manipulation proceedings. Lee maintains his innocence against these charges. Court records show Lee played a central role in manipulating Deutsch Motors' share prices from 2009 through 2012. The Supreme Court issued him a suspended prison sentence this past April for these financial crimes.
Investigators from another special counsel unit previously raided Lee's property while examining alleged government interference in a 2023 Marine serviceman fatality case.
