Investigations around KeSPA aides continue, with Jun Byung-hun, a former presidential secretary denying bribery charges levied against him. It is now believed that an arrest warrant has been issued for the former KeSPA chairman.
Reports from Korea Herald outline that Jun is suspected of receiving approximately 330 million won ($330,000) in payments from Lotte Homeshopping in 2015 and in return renewing the channel’s broadcasting license. Jun served as the honorary chairman for KeSPA and his two former aides were arrested on bribery charges on November 10th.
“Once again, I say clearly that I never took part in anything illegal. I will fully explain myself to the prosecution regarding the suspicions and misunderstandings,” Jun told reporters before entering the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, Korea Herald reports. He continued “I apologise for the lapses of my two former aides. … I feel terrible for causing trouble to the presidential office.”
The prosecution is also investigating other home shopping companies or mobile carriers who may be suspected of donating huge sums to the association. On November 20th when Jun arrived at the Prosecutor’s Office for questioning, the Korea Herald reported that authorities were “considering an arrest warrant”. Reports from news outlet Yonhap suggest that questions lasted for over 17 hours and now an arrest warrant has indeed been issued.
Esports Insider says: When people discuss a governing body in esports and a scene to model themselves on, Korea is normally the go-to place. However, with the allegations hanging over KeSPA now it’s going to hit the scene hard should they be proven. We’ll be keeping an eye on further developments.