Kim Keon Hee Special Prosecutor Requests Four-Year Prison Term for Jongho Lee on Charges of Violating Attorney-at-Law Act...“The Method of the Crime Was Highly Egregious”

[Financial News] The Special Prosecutor Team led by Min Joong-ki requested a prison sentence for Jongho Lee, former CEO of Black Pearl Invest, who was brought to trial on charges of receiving money in exchange for promising to secure a suspended sentence by leveraging his acquaintance with Kim Keon Hee.
On the 16th, at the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 23 (Presiding Judge Oh Se-yong), the Special Prosecutor Team sought a four-year prison sentence, a fine of 10 million won, and the forfeiture of 83.9 million won against Lee, who is charged with violating the Attorney-at-Law Act.
The Special Prosecutor Team explained, “This is a crime that could lead the public to suspect that justice is not achieved through fair and transparent investigation procedures, but rather is swayed by undue external influence and illicit dealings. It can inflict critical damage on the fairness and integrity of the criminal justice process.” They added, “Throughout the investigation and trial, Lee consistently denied his acquaintance with Jeongpil Lee and maintained false claims, showing no genuine remorse for his actions.”
In his final statement, Lee said, “The more than four months I have spent in detention since August 5 have been the most difficult and painful period of my life. I have come to realize the gravity of the law and the importance of abiding by it. If Your Honor grants me another chance, I promise to live the rest of my life as a law-abiding and exemplary citizen.”
He continued, “To make amends for the negative impact I have had on society, I will use my abilities and experience to give back to the community and live a life of service to my neighbors and society.”
The court announced that sentencing for Lee will take place on February 13 next year.
Lee was indicted and detained on charges that from June 2022 to February of the following year, he received 81 million won from Jeongpil Lee, the primary investor in the DEUTSCH MOTORS stock manipulation case, in exchange for promising to use his connections with former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife to secure a suspended sentence.
theknight@fnnews.com Jung Kyung-soo Reporter