Kim Keon Hee special counsel team delays closing arguments over poor trial preparation

[Financial News] Closing arguments were postponed in the trial of the chair of a KOSDAQ-listed company, who is accused of helping former Sambu Construction vice chairman Kihun Lee flee while he faced stock-manipulation charges. The delay came after the Kim Keon Hee Special Prosecutor Team, led by Special Counsel Min Joong-ki, appeared unprepared for the hearing.
Criminal Division 22 of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Cho Hyung-woo, held a hearing on the 5th for Mr. Lee, the chair of a KOSDAQ-listed company, who has been indicted on charges of harboring and concealing a fugitive.
At the hearing, the court had planned to conduct an evidentiary examination, a process to review the content and credibility of the evidence, and then move straight to closing arguments by the special counsel team. However, the session fell through because the team had not adequately prepared.
When the special counsel team told the court, "We are sorry, but we have not prepared the list of evidence," the bench sharply responded, "It seems you have not paid any attention to this case at all." The judge went on to say, "Is this kind of information not even shared internally within the special counsel team?" and asked, "We set today’s date after agreeing with the defendants to conduct the evidentiary examination. Are you saying you came here unprepared?" The special counsel team replied, "If you give us more time, we will prepare it."
The court rescheduled the closing arguments hearing for 4 p.m. on the 13th.
Mr. Lee is accused of assisting Kihun Lee’s escape in July last year, when the former vice chairman fled ahead of a warrant review hearing to determine his pretrial detention. Investigators found that Mr. Lee provided the vehicle and communication devices used in the escape.
Former vice chairman Lee is suspected of falsely suggesting around May to June 2023 that Sambu Construction would actively pursue reconstruction projects in Ukraine, thereby inflating the company’s stock price and then selling his shares for illicit gains. He also serves as chair of Well Biotech, which, together with Sambu Construction, is suspected of deceiving investors and manipulating the market.
theknight@fnnews.com Jung Kyung-soo Reporter