Opposition leader denies speaking by phone with underwear tycoon accused of money transfer to NK

• Published date: 21 February 2023
• Publication title: The Korea Times

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung on Monday rejected allegations he spoke by phone with an underwear tycoon accused of sending millions of dollars to North Korea for inter-Korean projects, including Lee's possible visit to the North, once again disavowing knowing the tycoon.

News reports have said that Kim Seong-tae, former chairman of underwear maker Ssangbangwool Group, told prosecutors that Lee said "thank you" to him over the phone for transferring $8 million to the North in 2019 on behalf of Lee's Gyeonggi provincial government for his possible visit to the North and other projects.

The reported remark was seen as evidence countering Lee's claims he does not know Kim.

Kim reportedly told investigators the phone conversation took place on Jan. 17, 2019, when he was having dinner in China with former Gyeonggi Province Vice Gov. Lee Hwa-young and an official at North Korea's Asia-Pacific Peace Committee handling inter-Korean affairs.

The vice governor reportedly spoke first with Lee...