Police Investigates CEO Kim Sung-jin at Seoul Detention Center… Related to Lee Jun-seok's Allegations of Sexual Services

The police directly visited the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, to conduct an investigation of Kim Sung-jin, the CEO of iCaiist, who claims to have provided sexual services to Lee Jun-seok, a member of the Reform Party.

On the 26th, the Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency stated, "The investigation of the complainant against CEO Kim Sung-jin is ongoing at the Seoul Detention Center since the morning."

CEO Kim recently accused Lee of "disseminating false information that defamed his character" after the lawmaker completely denied the allegations of sexual services through broadcasts and media. He has filed a civil and criminal complaint against Lee for defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act and false declaration under the Public Election Act.

This investigation is the first in-person inquiry following the complaint, as the police visited the detention center due to CEO Kim currently serving his sentence.

Prosecutors Determine 'Insufficient Evidence' for 'Sexual Service Allegations'… The Case Resurfaces

Earlier, the Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Seung-ho) concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support the claim that Lee received sexual services twice in Daejeon on July 11 and August 15, 2013.

In his statements to the police and prosecutors, CEO Kim claimed that sexual favors occurred, citing information he received from Mr. Chang, his aide. However, the prosecution deemed their reliability low, noting that Mr. Chang had often changed his statements.

Mr. Chang stated during the police investigation that the sexual transaction occurred on August 15, 2013, at A Hotel. However, since no reservation record was found in the hotel’s lodging logs for that date, it later emerged that he altered the location of the alleged transaction.

The prosecution also determined that the identity of the escort was not specified.

Although Mr. Kim, who managed the protocol for CEO Kim, identified one escort, that woman stated, "I have neither been with Lee nor engaged in any sexual relations."

Claims by CEO Kim Remain Unverified… Continues to Assert "Fact of Sexual Services"

The manager of the bar where this woman worked testified that while Lee had visited the bar once, she refused to be with him, and there was no sexual transaction.

Considering the contradictions and discrepancies among witness testimonies regarding the dates, locations, escort, and movement from the bar to the hotel, the prosecution concluded that there was no evidence to support the allegations of sexual services.

However, the Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office did not rule out the possibility of 'sexual services' entirely. At that time, Lee had filed a lawsuit against individuals related to the Garosero Research Institute, who exposed the 'sexual service allegations' as facts, and the Gaseyeon side filed a counterclaim claiming 'false accusation.'

The investigation team decided not to prosecute Lee for false accusation, and the non-prosecution decision included such conclusions.

Despite this, CEO Kim continues to assert the claims of sexual services, repeatedly stating this in public forums.

In the recent police investigation, CEO Kim maintained that the content he has asserted is a "disclosure based on fact."

CEO Kim, Currently Serving Time for Fraud… Sentence of 9 Years Confirmed

Meanwhile, CEO Kim Sung-jin has been indicted for defrauding investors by inflating his company's sales in 2018, which led to losses of several hundred million won. He was sentenced to 9 years in prison by the Supreme Court and is currently incarcerated at the Seoul Detention Center.

This police investigation pertains to separate matters regarding the sexual service allegations, and depending on future investigative results, the controversy surrounding Lee could reignite. The police plan to clarify the facts based on CEO Kim's statements once the investigation concludes.

Image Source: Lee Jun-seok, member of the Reform Party / News1, has been ousted from the position of the People's Power party leader due to issues arising from the allegations. / News1, News1