Cj Chief's Illness Mocked Online

CJ Group claimed Tuesday that its Chairman Lee Jay-hyun is suffering from renal failure and other rare critical diseases, eight days after he was detained on charges of embezzlement, tax evasion and breach of trust.

The group said its chairman is in a critical condition. The disclosure of Lee’s reported health condition has meanwhile failed to earn him public sympathy.

According to the food and entertainment group, Lee’s health situation has been complicated by chronic renal failure, high blood pressure, and CMT, a genetic disease that causes disorders in the peripheral nervous system, weakening muscle tissue and his sense of touch.

Lee limped and leaned over investigators when he was summoned to the prosecution’s office for questioning on June 25. CMT occurs on average in one out of 2,500 people. Lee’s family has a history of the disease, according to CJ Group.

Lee suffered from renal failure since his thirties, but recent diagnosis confirmed that he is fast approaching the terminal stage of the disease.

Renal failure hinders a patient’s kidney from filtering wastes in the blood.

Accumulated waste can kill a patient. Hemodialysis is usually performed on patients with renal failure.

CJ said that given Lee’s complex medical condition, hemodialysis treatment was not an ideal medical option for him. The most feasible medical option for his condition is a kidney transplant.

“In May, Lee’s doctor said he is under a serious condition which requires immediate transplantation” said an official at the group. “Lee was scheduling the date for transplant operation, when the prosecution launched its investigation. Lee is undergoing the probe while having medication and...