Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Team Questions Actor Park Sung-woong as Witness... "Lee Jong-ho and Im Seong-geun Dined Together"

[Financial News] The Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Team, led by Lee Myeong-hyeon, summoned actor Park Sung-woong to clarify the relationship between former 1st Marine Division Commander Im Seong-geun and former Black Pearl Investment CEO Lee Jong-ho.
According to legal sources on the 17th, the special prosecutor team called in Park last month as a witness.
During questioning, Park reportedly stated, "In 2022, I had a meal in Gangnam, Seoul, with former CEO Lee and former Division Commander Im, among others. I already knew Lee, but it was my first time meeting Im at that gathering." Previously, Im Seong-geun told the special prosecutor team in August that he "had never met Lee before and only learned of his existence through media reports." The investigation has now uncovered inconsistencies between these statements.
Im Seong-geun served as the unit commander of Chae Sang-byeong, who died in the line of duty during a flood disaster in Yecheon, North Gyeongsang Province, on July 19, 2023. Although initially identified as a suspect in the 1st Marine Division's preliminary investigation, he was later removed from the suspect list following a 'VIP's outrage.' Lee Jong-ho, known as the account manager for Kim Keon Hee, also appears in allegations related to lobbying for Im's exoneration.
On the 10th and 12th, the special prosecutor team summoned Lee Jong-ho, who is currently in custody, as a witness to press him about whether Im Seong-geun was also present at the meal.
Meanwhile, the special prosecutor team is currently questioning Mun Byeongsam, former commander of The 50th Infantry Division, as a suspect. Mun was in charge of operations during the flood recovery efforts.
Before appearing before the special prosecutor, Mun Byeongsam declined to answer reporters' questions such as, "Did the Marine Corps conduct search operations independently from the Army at the time?" and "Was the Army unable to exercise effective command authority over the Marine Corps?"
Mun Byeongsam has been reported to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) on charges of dereliction of duty as the operations controller during the search near Bomun Bridge, where Chae Sang-byeong lost his life.
theknight@fnnews.com Jung Kyung-soo, Choi Eun-sol Reporter