First Key Player in DEUTSCH MOTORS INC. Stock Manipulation: "Jongho Lee and Kim Keon-hee Told Me Not to Worry About the Case"

[Financial News] The first key player involved in the DEUTSCH MOTORS INC. stock manipulation scheme, which implicated Kim Keon-hee, testified that he heard from Jongho Lee, former CEO of Black Pearl Invest, "Kim Keon-hee is keeping an eye on everything. Don’t worry."
On the 25th, the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 23 (Presiding Judge Oh Se-yong) held the third hearing on Jongho Lee’s violation of the Attorney-at-Law Act.
A witness identified as Mr. Lee, who has been named as the first key player in the DEUTSCH MOTORS INC. stock manipulation case, appeared in court to testify at Jongho Lee’s trial.
Mr. Lee testified that Jongho Lee showed him photos taken with political figures and said, in essence, "Kim Keon-hee is monitoring the case. Don’t worry." When the Kim Keon Hee Special Prosecutor Team, led by Min Joong-ki, asked if the defendant had ever shown him photos with politicians, Mr. Lee replied, "Yes." When asked if Jongho Lee had ever said Kim Keon-hee was keeping track of the case, he also answered, "Yes," explaining, "He showed me photos and such on his phone, so at the time, I believed him."
Mr. Lee also gave testimony regarding the case. When asked by the special prosecutor if the defendant had requested money from him in late May 2022, he replied, "Yes." When asked if the defendant told him to buy a painting from someone who could help with their trial, Mr. Lee said, "I’m not sure if it was in May, but he did mention it." He added, "Regarding my trial, he said things like, 'Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you get a suspended sentence,' so I think I gave him the money and bought it."
Jongho Lee was indicted on charges of persuading Mr. Lee by saying he would ask former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife to ensure a suspended sentence, and receiving a total of about 80 million won over 25 transactions.
[email protected] Jung Kyung-soo Reporter