Suspicion of Proxy Stock Trading: Independent Lawmaker Lee Chun-seok Returns Home After 7-Hour Police Interrogation
Independent lawmaker Lee Chun-seok, who was subjected to a police investigation regarding allegations of proxy stock trading through an account under his aide's name, has returned home after a lengthy 7-hour interrogation.
On the 14th, the Financial Crimes Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency summoned Lee as a suspect and began the investigation at 6:45 PM.
Upon leaving the investigation at around 1:50 AM on the 15th from the police's Crime Investigation Unit in Mapo District, Seoul, Lee stated, "I deeply apologize to the public for the controversy I caused."
He added, "I answered the questions sincerely during the investigation, and I will continue to do so moving forward." However, when reporters asked whether he acknowledged the allegations and what points he clarified during the investigation, he did not provide specific answers and left in a waiting vehicle.
Core of the Stock Trading Suspicions and Direction of Police Investigation
It has been reported that during the investigation, the police focused on whether Lee opened a securities account using the name of his aide, Mr. Cha, and engaged in proxy trading and insider trading over an extended period.
Both Lee and Mr. Cha are currently under investigation for violations of the Financial Transaction Real Name Act and the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act.
These allegations surfaced on the 4th when Lee was caught on media cameras trading AI-related stocks such as Naver and LG CNS under Mr. Cha's name in the National Assembly's main chamber.
Particularly concerning is that at that time, Lee held the position of chair of the Economic 2 Division of the National Planning and Coordination Committee, which oversees the AI sector, raising suspicions of stock trading based on undisclosed information.
In response, Lee maintains that he "accidentally took his aide's mobile phone to the main assembly hall." The police are expected to continue their investigation by closely analyzing Lee's claims alongside the actual trading records.
Image source: Lee Chun-seok, the independent lawmaker embroiled in proxy stock trading allegations, is seen leaving the Financial Crimes Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Mapo District, Seoul, after completing his interrogation early in the morning on August 15, 2025. / News1
