Monday trial set for Dongbang`s illegal lending case

The first trial of the illegal lending case involving 14 people, including Chung Hyun-Joon, 32, president of Korea Digital Line, and Lee Kyung-Ja, 56, vice chairman of Dongbang Savings & Finance Co., will be held at Seoul District Court at 2:00 p.m., Monday.

At the trial, prosecutors will question and counsels will plead for the defendants, including Chung and Lee. Both are suspected of 224 billion won worth of illegal lending, embezzlement and swindle cases.

The trial is being watched with much interest. There is a possibility Chung and Lee will testify on new suspicions of lobbying Financial Supervisory Service officials, the circumstances of creating the private fund, and the whereabouts of the illegal lending.

Their first trial was scheduled for Dec. 7, but postponed. Eleven defendants, including Chung confined in prison, have not been recalled because of administrative mistakes made by the court and the Seoul Detention House.

Lee Myoung-Gun gun43@donga.com