“My husband is not the representative of a defense industry”
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It was revealed that actor Lee Young-ae, 50, paid political sponsorships of 5 million won to opposition lawmakers belonging to the National Assembly’s Defense Committee. This is because Lee’s husband, Jeong Ho-young (70), ran a defense company called Raycom Korea in the past.
In the last year’s’list of donors exceeding 3 million won’ released by the Central Election Commission on the 25th, Lee also sponsored 5 million won each to Democratic Party Rep. Kim Byeong-ju and People’s Power Rep. Han Ki-ho and Shin Won-sik. This is the highest amount under the Political Fund Act. These lawmakers, who were helped by Mr. Lee, were former military generals and currently belong to the National Defense Council. Rep. Kim served as the deputy commander of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command as a reserve army commander, and both Han and Shin were also lieutenant generals of the army respectively.
This sponsorship attracted attention because Jung was introduced to various media as Chairman of Raycom Korea until recently. Controversy over inappropriate sponsorship from stakeholders was raised as the Defense Agency has the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, which oversees the government’s weapons development and purchase decisions, as its competent audit organization. However, Lee’s side refuted that her husband, Jeong, left his hand in the management of a defense industry in the early 2000s, and currently owns less than 1%. Mr. Lee said, “It is not at all true that he has been known as a representative of a defense industry.” “Lee’s father is a veteran of the Korean War. As a military family, he has provided various support to soldiers, and this support is also at that level.”
The lawmakers all at once insisted that they did not know Jeong’s history. Rep. Kim Byung-joo said, “There is no need to answer every day,” regarding his close relationship with Mr. Lee Young-ae, and said, “It is a very early time for Jung’s job,” and Rep. Shin Won-sik dismissed it as “a donation that has nothing to do with Jeong.” Rep. Han Ki-ho explained, “After meeting Lee at the alumni event of the 3rd academy, we have been close friends.”
/ Reporter Kim In-yeop [email protected]
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