[Exclusive] Lee Jong-ho, Suspected of Lobbying for Exoneration, Requests Face-to-Face Questioning with Actor Park Sung-woong

[Financial News] Lee Jong-ho, former CEO of Black Pearl Investment and a suspect in lobbying for the exoneration of former 1st Marine Division Commander Lim Sung-geun, has requested face-to-face questioning with actor Park Sung-woong.
According to the legal community on the 6th, Lee’s attorney submitted a request to the Special Prosecutor’s Office (headed by Lee Myung-hyun) for a face-to-face questioning between Park and Lee earlier that morning.
Previously, the special prosecutor’s team summoned Park as a witness last September. During questioning, Park reportedly stated, "In 2022, I had a meal with Lee and former Commander Lim at a location in Gangnam, Seoul. I was already acquainted with Lee, and that was the first time I met Lim."
However, Lim, who appeared before the special prosecutor last August, claimed, "I have never met Lee and only learned of his existence through the media," contradicting Park’s account.
Lim was the commanding officer of Private Chae, who was killed in the line of duty during a flood rescue operation in Yecheon, Gyeongbuk, on July 19, 2023. Although initially named a suspect in the Marine Corps investigation, Lim was later excluded from the list following the VIP’s outrage.
Lee is known as the account manager for First Lady Kim Keon-hee and has also been implicated in the lobbying for Lim’s exoneration.
The special prosecutor’s team reportedly questioned Lee, who is currently in custody, as a witness on the 10th and 12th of last month, pressing him on whether Lim was present at the meal.
The request for face-to-face questioning with Park appears to be aimed at clarifying the direct connection between Lim and Lee. While Lee acknowledges his acquaintance with Park, he continues to deny ever meeting Lim. The plan is to present evidence, such as photographs, to the special prosecutor to verify the truthfulness of these statements.
The special prosecutor’s office stated that since the request was only received that morning, there has not yet been time for discussion and no official position has been announced.

theknight@fnnews.com Jung Kyung-soo Reporter