It has been alleged that talent Im Seong-eun's husband, Mr. Lee, who is 14 years her senior, is a fraudster involved in an apartment development scam. This comes about a week after they held their wedding on the 17th at an undisclosed location in Seoul.
On the 26th, Dispatch raised various allegations against Im's husband, Mr. A (55), in an article titled "Husband is an apartment development fraudster… Im Seong-eun, the identity of the new groom."
According to Dispatch, Mr. Lee is the chairman of Seokjeong Urban Development, an agency for regional housing cooperative business. Dispatch reported that Mr. Lee has a criminal record with three convictions for fraud and that he has misappropriated at least 200 billion won by handling tasks necessary for the completion of apartments on behalf of cooperative members. He is reportedly facing investigation and trial for charges including fraud, embezzlement, breach of trust, obstruction of business, and concealment of property.
Dispatch noted that Mr. Lee has operated regional housing cooperative projects in six regions including Osan, Cheongju Osong, Cheonan Jiksan, Daegu Beomeo, Daejeon Doan, and Gimcheon Innovation City after his release from prison. It stated that not a single project was conducted properly and that he was sued for 100 billion won in two locations, claiming that he misappropriated over 150 billion won in Osan and Osong and solicited over 100 billion won in investments using the Cheonan housing project as bait.
Dispatch also reported that Mr. Lee's third marriage, not his first, included a conversation with a creditor before the marriage, in which he said, "Seong-eun's family is doing well," and "Why would I make a financial mistake after marrying a public figure?" The couple reportedly went to Jeju Island for their honeymoon, but Mr. Lee's overseas travel was blocked due to a travel ban.
Additionally, Dispatch reported that Mr. Lee drives a Mercedes-Benz S-Class and a Maybach GLS, and is suspected of buying Im Seong-eun a Bentley Bentayga. The Bentley Bentayga is a luxury imported car worth between 200 million won and 300 million won in South Korea. It is also a car that was gifted by former national fencing representative Nam Hyun-hee to Jeon Cheong-jo, who faces fraud allegations.
Earlier, Im Seong-eun held her wedding with Mr. Lee at the JW Marriott Hotel in Gangnam on the 17th. Super Junior's Lee Teuk and comedian Byeon Ki-soo officiated the ceremony, and former Prime Minister Jeong Se-kyun, People Power Party Vice Speaker Joo Ho-young, former Party Council Chair Kim Dong-yeon, and Democratic Party lawmakers Boo Seung-chan and Lee Geon-tae sent floral tributes.