Special Prosecutor Kim Keon-hee has charged and arrested a businessman, referred to as Mr. Lee, related to the 'allegation of solicitation' concerning Jeon Seong-bae of Geunjeon Beopsa. Mr. Lee denied the allegations during the first preparatory hearing held on the 29th. The court stated, 'The Special Prosecutor has charged this case independently of any collusion between Mr. Jeon and Mr. Lee, so we will not deliberate on that aspect today.'
The 21st Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (presiding Judge Lee Hyun-bok) conducted the first preparatory hearing for Mr. Lee, who was arrested and charged with violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, for about 30 minutes. The preparatory hearing is a procedure to organize the issues, evidence, and future schedule regarding the case before the formal trial. Although the defendant is not obligated to attend, Mr. Lee appeared in court wearing a brown prison uniform.
Mr. Lee is suspected of receiving 400 million won in goods from Mr. Kim under the pretext of facilitating trial convenience. Earlier, the Special Prosecutor charged Mr. Lee on the 18th with violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes for solicitation of bribes. The Special Prosecutor suspects that Mr. Lee acted as a 'legal broker' connecting those who sought to suppress investigations or facilitate trials with Mr. Jeon of Geunjeon Beopsa.
Mr. Lee's lawyer stated, 'We deny the allegations,' and noted, 'While it is acknowledged that Mr. Lee received 330 million won for business investment, it was not received under the pretext of soliciting a trial through Geunjeon Beopsa,' he added. He further stated, 'It is also unclear whether the counterpart for the facilitation was Mr. Jeon or a judge.'
In response, the Special Prosecutor said, 'This case has been charged on the basis that Mr. Lee facilitated through Mr. Jeon, which is currently under investigation as Mr. Jeon is in custody.' He continued, 'Whether Mr. Lee and Mr. Jeon conspired to facilitate or if Mr. Lee simply used the name 'Jeon Seong-bae' for facilitation is currently under investigation,' adding, 'The indictment can be amended further.'
The court then indicated, 'For now, the Special Prosecutor has charged without waiting for that (investigation results), based on the facts that do not premise a collusion with Mr. Jeon, and we will not deliberate on that aspect (the collusion relationship) until the indictment is changed.'
Moreover, the court stated, 'Whether it is monetary receipt or the establishment of an investment contract, if a solicitation for trial is mentioned, it will determine whether the case is guilty or not, depending on whether it caused the monetary receipt or contract establishment.'
The court decided to conclude the preparatory hearing on this day. The first formal trial date for this case will be held at 2 p.m. on Oct. 1.