Lee Jin-sook, the current chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission and former president of Daejeon MBC, found herself once again in the spotlight this week as she faced her fourth round of police questioning over allegations of corporate card misuse and related bribery. The investigation, which has stretched over a year, continues to draw attention from both the media and the public, with supporters and critics alike voicing strong opinions about the case’s significance—and its political undertones.
The allegations stem from Lee’s tenure as president of Daejeon MBC, a role she held from March 2015 to January 2018. According to investigative officials cited by Yonhap News Agency, Lee is suspected of using a corporate card for personal purposes during this period, allegedly causing financial damage to the company. The probe intensified after members of the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee—primarily lawmakers from the Democratic Party—formally filed a complaint against Lee in July of the previous year. This complaint prompted law enforcement to launch a comprehensive investigation, including search and seizure operations at Daejeon MBC and a thorough review of corporate card transactions.
The case gained further momentum in July 2025, when members of the National Public Service Ethics Committee at the Ministry of Public Administration and Security began their own inquiry into Lee’s actions. The committee’s involvement underscored the seriousness of the allegations, which center on claims of both embezzlement and bribery. Investigators allege that Lee used the corporate card not only for unauthorized personal expenditures but also to receive various other benefits during her leadership at the broadcaster.
Despite the mounting scrutiny, Lee has consistently and vigorously denied all wrongdoing. Her stance has remained unchanged throughout the investigation, from her first police interview to her most recent appearance on September 6, 2025, at the Yuseong Police Station in Daejeon. During her initial questioning, Lee addressed reporters directly, stating, “There is a political motive behind this investigation. I have never used the corporate card for personal purposes.” She has repeatedly insisted that all card usage was strictly for business-related expenses and that the accusations against her are unfounded.
Lee’s defense has not wavered in public forums, either. On September 2, 2025, she appeared before the full assembly of the National Public Service Ethics Committee to explain her position, once again categorically denying the bribery allegations. “I have not used the corporate card for private matters; it was only used for business purposes,” she asserted, according to Yonhap News Agency’s coverage of the proceedings. Her repeated denials have become a central theme in the ongoing debate over the case’s legitimacy and possible political motivations.
As the investigation has unfolded, it has not been without its share of drama and public spectacle. On the day of Lee’s fourth police summons, a group of conservative activists gathered outside the Yuseong Police Station to protest what they described as an unjust and politically motivated inquiry. Their demonstration highlighted the deep divisions in public opinion surrounding the case, with some viewing Lee as the target of a partisan witch hunt and others insisting on the need for accountability and transparency at the highest levels of public service.
The police, for their part, have pressed forward with their investigation, conducting multiple rounds of questioning and reviewing an extensive paper trail of corporate card usage. According to Channel A, law enforcement officials have focused on uncovering evidence of both embezzlement and bribery, examining not just the card transactions themselves but also any associated benefits Lee may have received during her time at Daejeon MBC. The authorities’ persistence suggests that they believe there is more to the story than Lee’s public denials would indicate.
Yet, despite the volume of material reviewed and the number of interviews conducted, no conclusive evidence of personal misuse or bribery has been publicly disclosed. Lee and her associates have maintained their innocence throughout, with Lee herself describing the allegations as a “problem being raised now for political purposes about something that happened ten years ago.” She has continued to argue that there is no proof of any wrongdoing, stating unequivocally, “There is no evidence of using the corporate card for bribery.”
The origins of the case are rooted in the broader context of South Korea’s ongoing efforts to ensure ethical conduct among public officials and executives at major media organizations. The National Public Service Ethics Committee’s involvement is a testament to the seriousness with which the government treats such allegations. At the same time, the case has become a flashpoint in the country’s increasingly polarized political landscape, with rival factions trading accusations and questioning each other’s motives.
Observers note that the investigation’s timing—coming years after the alleged incidents—has fueled speculation about its true purpose. Lee herself has not shied away from suggesting that the probe is less about justice and more about political maneuvering. Her supporters echo this sentiment, arguing that the case is being used as a tool to undermine her reputation and influence at a critical juncture for the Korea Communications Commission.
On the other hand, proponents of the investigation argue that no public official should be above scrutiny, regardless of their current position or political affiliations. They contend that thorough oversight is essential to maintaining public trust in institutions like Daejeon MBC and the Korea Communications Commission. For them, the investigation is a necessary step in upholding accountability and transparency, even if it means revisiting events from a decade ago.
As the case moves forward, the stakes remain high for all involved. Lee’s professional future—and the public’s confidence in the institutions she leads—hang in the balance. The ongoing investigation serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges inherent in policing ethics at the intersection of media, government, and politics.
Whatever the final outcome, the controversy surrounding Lee Jin-sook’s tenure at Daejeon MBC has already left an indelible mark on South Korea’s media and political landscape. The story continues to unfold, with each new development watched closely by a nation keenly attuned to questions of power, accountability, and justice.
