Former Korean Soccer Legend Lee Chun-soo Accused of Fraud; Japanese Media Shows Keen Interest

Former South Korean national football team player Lee Chun-soo has been accused of fraud, drawing significant attention from Japanese media outlets. Given Lee's past tenure with Japanese club Omiya Ardija, his name has reappeared on Japanese portals, sparking renewed interest.

The Japanese football publication ‘Soccer Digest’ recently reported in detail on the case, under the headline, "Korean National Team Legend Lee Chun-soo Accused of Fraud." According to the report, the accuser, identified as Mr. A, is a long-time acquaintance of Lee, and their relationship reportedly soured over financial matters.

Mr. A claims that in November 2018, Lee borrowed money, stating, "I have inconsistent income right now. Please lend me money for living expenses. I plan to operate a YouTube channel and a football school in a few years, so I will repay it by the end of 2023 at the latest." Consequently, Mr. A transferred a total of 132 million KRW (approximately $100,000 USD) to Lee's spouse's account in nine installments by April 2021. However, contact reportedly ceased in the fall of 2021, and Mr. A stated he has not received any repayment.

Furthermore, Mr. A alleges that Lee encouraged him to invest in an online foreign exchange futures trading site, resulting in damages amounting to hundreds of millions of KRW. In response, Lee's representatives stated that while he did receive money, he had no intention to deceive, a key element in fraud charges, and intends to repay the debt. They also denied any involvement in recommending or introducing investment opportunities.

The case is currently under investigation by domestic police. Lee Chun-soo, known as the 'Mischief Maker' during his playing career and often a topic of conversation for his candid remarks post-retirement, finds himself at the center of a controversy that has captured the attention of not only Korean but also Japanese football fans.

Korean netizens have reacted with surprise and concern, with comments such as 'I can't believe he borrowed money for living expenses when he must have earned a lot,' and 'It's hard to understand why someone who earned so much would need to borrow money.' Many are calling for a thorough investigation to uncover the truth.