On the 22nd, the special prosecutor Kim Keon-hee issued a warrant for the arrest of Vice Chairman Lee Gi-hoon, who is suspected of fleeing just before a pre-trial interrogation for the alleged manipulation of SAMBU Construction's stock.
During a briefing that morning, special prosecutor's aide Oh Jeong-hee said, "We returned the previous arrest warrant for Vice Chairman Lee that expired today and received a new arrest warrant."
On the 18th, the special prosecutor reported to the Coast Guard after receiving reports that Vice Chairman Lee could attempt to flee overseas. The Coast Guard is currently tracking Vice Chairman Lee.
Vice Chairman Lee was supposed to appear in court for a warrant hearing on the 17th. However, he did not show up without any notice and is currently in hiding. Vice Chairman Lee is facing allegations of fraudulent trading under the Capital Markets Act related to the SAMBU Construction stock manipulation case.
Also, special prosecutor's aide Oh stated, "Cho Hyun-sang, Vice Chairman of HS HYOSUNG, is a subject of summons investigation regarding the 'housekeeper Kim Ye-seong' allegations, yet he has not received contact from the special prosecutor to date," and urged for a prompt return and disclosure of the appearance date.
The special prosecutor is investigating the circumstances under which large corporations and financial institutions invested 18.4 billion won in IMS Mobility (formerly BeMyCar), a rental car company previously associated with Kim Ye-seong, who was called a housekeeper to Kim Keon-hee, wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, and her mother, Choi Eun-soon. The companies that invested include HS HYOSUNG's affiliates, Kakao Mobility, Korea Securities Finance, and Kiwoom Securities.