Special Counsel Prosecutor Removed from Duty Over DEUTSCH MOTORS INC. Case... 'I Did Not Know Lee Jong-ho Was Involved'

[Financial News] Han Moon-hyuk, the chief prosecutor removed from the Kim Keon Hee special counsel team (led by Min Joong-ki) after it was revealed that he had met Lee Jong-ho, former CEO of Black Pearl Invest, explained, 'At the time, I did not know Mr. Lee was involved in the case.' Lee Jong-ho is known as the former account manager for Kim Keon Hee.
On the 26th, after the special counsel announced his removal, Han Moon-hyuk issued a statement to the press, saying, 'I sincerely apologize for causing controversy with my actions,' and provided a detailed account of his meeting with Lee Jong-ho. The special counsel team reportedly received a whistleblower tip containing a photo of Han Moon-hyuk, Lee Jong-ho, and three others taken at a drinking gathering in 2021.
In his statement, Han Moon-hyuk said, 'Around July 2021, I called a doctor friend whom I had grown close to while discussing my children's health issues. During the call, we arranged to meet that evening. When I arrived at the restaurant, my friend was with a woman he knew and a man I did not recognize, who turned out to be Lee Jong-ho.'
He continued, 'My friend said, "This is someone I met for a work meeting this afternoon. Would it be alright if he joined us for dinner?" After a brief introduction, we had dinner together.' He added that after the meal, his friend suggested, 'Let's go to my house for some beer,' so they ordered delivery food and spent some time together with a few other guests before parting ways.
Han Moon-hyuk emphasized, 'At the time, Lee Jong-ho was not a suspect in the DEUTSCH MOTORS INC. case (he was booked in late September 2021 and detained in late October 2021), and since he did not introduce himself in detail, I had no way of knowing he was connected to DEUTSCH MOTORS INC. We did not exchange business cards or contact information, and I have not met or communicated with him personally since then.'
On this day, the special counsel team stated, 'It has been confirmed that there are facts making it difficult for Han Moon-hyuk to continue the investigation,' and announced that he would be relieved from his assignment as of the 27th.
In 2021, Han Moon-hyuk investigated the DEUTSCH MOTORS INC. case at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office and later served on the DEUTSCH MOTORS INC. reinvestigation team at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office.
scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter