Women indicted in Lee case

The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office charged two female accomplices yesterday who allegedly blackmailed actor Lee Byung-hun for 5 billion won ($5 million) in late August.

Da-hee, 20, a member of girl group GLAM, and model Lee Ji-yeon, 25, threatened to release a video clip of Lee, 44, drinking with the women and using lewd language in exchange for money on Aug. 29, after the actor earlier refused Lee Ji-yeon’s request on Aug. 14 to buy her a house, authorities said.

The three met for the first time on July 1 when a mutual acquaintance introduced the women to Lee over dinner, prosecutors added.

Both women were arrested on Sept. 1 after the celebrity called the police three days earlier.

As to the model’s claim during the investigation that she and Lee were in a romantic relationship, prosecutors said they had almost come to the conclusion that she had fabricated this assertion, but that they would “look into the matter further” as the case is ongoing.

The global star asserted that he didn’t date the model, but some netizens took matters into their own hands and tracked down the suspect’s personal Instagram account where they found photos they claim are “clues” Lee was dating the model.

Lee married actress Lee Min-jung, 32, last year, who reportedly moved into her parents’ house in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, after the scandal broke out.

By Lee Sung-eun