Yang Jung Won's Husband Released on Bail: "My Wife Is Being Publicly Vilified"

[Financial News]  Mr. Lee, the husband of Yang Jung Won, a former Pilates instructor and television personality who was indicted and detained on charges of manipulating the stock price of a KOSDAQ-listed company, has been released after a court granted him bail, subject to conditions such as posting a bond.
According to Yonhap News on the 1st, Criminal Division 14 of Seoul Southern District Court, presided over by Judge Lee Jung-hee, granted Mr. Lee's bail petition. He had been indicted while in custody on charges including violations of the Capital Markets Act.
The court stated, "We find that there is considerable reason to grant bail and therefore approve the bail petition."
Mr. Jeon, an employee of Daishin Securities, and businessman Mr. Kim, who were indicted along with Mr. Lee, were released on bail earlier, on August 28. With Mr. Lee's release, all three will now stand trial without being detained.
At a bail hearing on August 26, Mr. Lee said, "My wife, who is currently a television personality, is being publicly vilified," and appealed, "I have no other thoughts than to do this for my wife. If you allow me to stand trial without detention, I will attend every hearing and participate faithfully."
Mr. Lee's attorney argued at the time, "Mr. Kim and Mr. Jeon's detention expiration dates are expected to arrive earlier than Mr. Lee's. If only Mr. Lee remains in custody, there is a concern that the defendants could contact others and share statements concerning Mr. Lee."
The attorney also emphasized, "Because Mr. Lee's spouse is a celebrity and the case has attracted considerable attention, with many reporters attending the trial, it is difficult to imagine that he would flee or fail to participate faithfully in the proceedings."
Mr. Jeon and Mr. Kim were brought to trial for allegedly conspiring with Mr. Lee and others from December 2024 through April of the following year to buy and sell more than 28.9 billion won worth of shares in a KOSDAQ-listed company and drive up its stock price.
Prosecutors believe that Mr. Jeon, who worked at Daishin Securities for more than 20 years, acted as the so-called "operator," trading shares through borrowed-name accounts, while Mr. Kim served as the ringleader. They also believe the two made more than 1.4 billion won in illicit profits through the scheme.
Mr. Lee also faces a charge of bribery for allegedly providing hospitality to Inspector Song, who was the head of the investigation team at Gangnam Police Station, and attempting to quash the investigation into his wife, Yang Jung Won.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for the 19th.
[email protected] Kim Soo-yeon Reporter