By Lee Kyung-min
Police will summon Lee Myung-hee, the wife of Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Yang-ho, and the mother of two daughters whose temper tantrums repeatedly sparked controversy over the lack of self-discipline exhibited by some of the rich and powerful in Korea. Their oldest daughter Cho Hyun-ah and her younger sister Cho Hyun-min, who were involved in the “nut rage” and “water rage” incidents, respectively, were questioned over verbal and physical assault that many believed stemmed from “anger management issues."
The 69-year-old Ilwoo Foundation director will appear at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency today to undergo questioning over alleged obstruction of business, and assault. The summons follows a one-month investigation in which police secured statements from at least 10 victims who worked as chauffeurs, gardeners, housekeepers, private residential security guards, as well as officials at the group's affiliates, all of whom provided detailed accounts of alleged abusive language and behavior, grounds to establish a pattern of abuse.
Police secured video footage in which Lee forcefully threw a large piece of cardboard towards construction workers who were remodeling her home in Seoul in 2013. The alleged victims said Lee forced them to kneel, slapped them in the face and kicked them in the shins. A similar offence occurred, police said, in 2014 when Lee slapped and yelled at construction workers at a hotel in Incheon and threw construction blueprint documents for remodeling on the floor, which could constitute obstruction of business. According to police, other victims said Lee threw a pair of scissors and a large flower pot in their direction, which could constitute aggravated assault.
No victim has filed a petition with police asking for leniency for Lee, which could help her avoid criminal prosecution for assault and for “insulting,” a criminal charge in Korea, whereby an individual can be sentenced to up to one year in prison or fined up to 1 million won ($980) for verbally abusing others using derogatory words. Police cannot open investigation into the two charges without the alleged victims' request.
Police are seeking heavier charges of aggravated assault and for repeated offences, which they can pursue regardless of the victims' requests. The statute of limitations for assault can be extended if police obtain hospital treatment records of the victims. Given the consistency of the victims, police believe they can establish a basis for this.
Meanwhile, the case involving Cho Hyun-min is under review by the prosecution after police referred it, with a recommendation of indictment for obstruction of business, falling short of the much-anticipated charge of aggravated assault. The prosecution considered that motion lacked merit given statements from Cho as well as other witnesses and alleged victims consistent that she did in fact throw a glass but not at a person. Cho did admit that the meeting with the advertizing agency was halted after she threw a glass and a paper cup full of a beverage, but said she was within her discretion for such acts given her title and authority at the firm, dismissing the charge that she obstructed business.