[Financial News] It was revealed that actor Park Sung-woong was questioned by the special prosecutor team investigating the death of Marine officer Cha Soo-geun as a reference. The investigation aimed to verify the relationship between former Marine 1st Division Commander Lim Sung-geun and former Black Pearl Invest CEO Lee Jong-ho.
On the 17th, according to the legal community, during last month’s investigation of Mr. Park, the special prosecutor’s team secured a statement to the effect that “in 2022, Mr. Park had a meal at a location in Gangnam, Seoul, with the former CEO, the former division commander, and others.” It is reported that Park Sung-woong stated that he was already acquainted with the former CEO and that it was the first time he met the former division commander at that gathering.
Former Division Commander Lim and the former CEO assert that they do not know each other, but Mr. Park’s testimony directly contradicts their claims. In response, the former CEO’s lawyer told Yonhap News on this day, “It is true that we dined with actor Park, but the former division commander was not present,” and expressed suspicion that there might be false testimony.
Former Division Commander Lim also refuted, saying, “Considering the need for reporting and approval to leave my post in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, at that time, checking the movements would show that no meeting took place.”
Prior to Mr. Park’s testimony, a photograph of the former CEO at the Marine 1st Division in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, was disclosed during the legislative and judiciary committee hearing at the National Assembly in July last year. This photo, taken in March 2023, shows the former CEO standing alongside Marine Commander Kim Gye-hwan and Song Ho-jong.
Earlier, in August, during the special prosecutor’s inquiry, former Division Commander Lim claimed, “I do not know the person at all and learned about his existence through the media.” The special prosecutor’s team summoned the former CEO on the 10th and 12th, focussing on whether former Division Commander Lim was also present at the meal gathering.
Meanwhile, former Division Commander Lim, who was in command of the unit when Sergeant Chae died in a flood in Yecheon County, North Gyeongsang Province in July 2023, was initially listed as a suspect in the early investigation by the Marine Corps investigation team but was excluded from the suspect list after the so-called ‘VIP outburst.’
The special prosecutor’s team suspects that the former CEO might have been a channel for lobbying to clear his name. The former CEO is known to be a close associate of Kim Kun-hee and managed her accounts during the second stock price manipulation phase of Deutsche Motors.