April 26, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Lee Myung-hee, wife of Korean Air chief Cho Yang-ho, appeared for police questioning for a second time on May 30 for assault and abuse allegations.

On may 28, Lee had underwent a 15-hour interrogation by the police. The authorities said the second questioning is to mainly supplement the ongoing investigation, as she has denied most of the charges and witnesses' statements are inconsistent with hers.

Police also indicated they could seek an arrest warrant for Lee, and that the decision will be made before the end of this week.

 

Lee Myung-hee (center) with reporters on May 28.

Lee, who serves as the director of Ilwoo Foundation, is accused of shoving and cursing at construction workers hired for the expansion of a hotel owned by Hanjin Group, which includes Korean Air, in 2014. She may face a charge of aggravated assault as a witness testified she hurled scissors at them.

Lee, 69, is also suspected of physically and verbally assaulting workers at her Seoul mansion when it was being remodeled, as well as habitually abusing company employees, private chauffeurs, security guards and housekeepers.

Lee and her two daughters, including Cho Hyun-ah, who is infamous for the “nut rage” case, are being probed over mounting allegations of abuse of power, assaults, tax evasion and smuggling luxury goods.

Police have secured statements from more than 11 witnesses who say they want Lee to be held accountable. By law, assault charges cannot be pressed against a suspect unless victims seek punishment.

But police are considering charging Lee with aggravated assault, in which case, formal complaints from the victims’ will not be required, and she won’t be able to avoid a prison term if convicted.

By Song Seung-hyun and newswires (ssh@heraldcorp.com)