( Observer Network ) The internet celebrity blogger "Prince Li Gen " who returned to South Korea for treatment after being injured on the battlefield in Russia and Ukraine recently took the initiative to be arrested and was investigated by the South Korean police.
According to Korean media on the 13th, Li Gen, who is suspected of violating the Passport Law, admitted most of the suspicions during the investigation, and the police will transfer Li Gen to the prosecution within this week based on the investigation results. Li Gen is currently banned from leaving the country, but when he returned to China at the end of May, he told Korean media that he was in South Korea and his heart was in Ukraine and wanted to go back and continue fighting.
South Korea's " East Asia Ilbo ": Police said that Lee Gen was investigated for "violating the passport law"... "Most of the charges were admitted"
"Captain Lee Gen" is 38 years old and is a retired captain of the Korean Navy Special Forces and an internet celebrity blogger.
According to South Korea's East Asia Ilbo on the 13th, on March 7 this year, "Captain Li Gen" went to Ukraine without authorization, saying that he volunteered to join the Ukrainian "International Team" and participated in the war as a member of the "Terminal Defense Army International Brigade" of the Ukrainian foreign volunteer force.
"Captain Lee Gen", Instagram screenshot
However, as early as February 13, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the highest level fourth-level tourism warning (forbidden travel) to the entire Ukraine, prohibiting South Korean citizens from traveling to Ukraine. According to Article 26 of the South Korean Passport Law, any South Korean citizen who enters Ukraine without permission may be sentenced to a maximum of one year in prison for or a fine of up to 10 million won (approximately RMB 53,000).
Therefore, regarding the "captain Lee Gen" who went to Ukraine to participate in the war despite the ban on the South Korean government, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on March 8 that the ministry was imposing administrative sanctions on him in accordance with the Passport Act. On the 13th of the same month, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs also filed a lawsuit against "Captain Lee Gen" on the grounds of violating the Passport Law. According to regulations, the South Korean government can confiscate Lee Gen's passport. If he refuses to submit it, he can be deemed to be invalid and refuses to issue a new passport.
In addition to facing domestic investigations in South Korea, the "captain Li Gen" who went to Ukraine to participate in the war also kept "refuting the rumors" because he was questioned about making a show on the battlefield.
On March 15, South Korea's "Korean Ilbo" reported that "captain Lee Gen" was still alive, but after entering Ukraine, he felt that the war was fierce and his life was threatened, so he decided to leave Kiev . However, when entering the Polish , due to opposition from the authorities, he and his teammates could only stay near the border.
In response to this, "Captain Lee Gen" posted a message on social media on the 15th that the Korean Ilbo was a liar and he did not go to the Ubo border. He also said that a Korean comrade who joined the "International Team" had evacuated from Ukraine. He is the only one who stayed in Ukraine. There are too many tasks and the battle is very busy. It is expected that the post will not be published before completing the mission.
"Captain Lee Gen", Instagram screenshot
By March 24, Korean media such as the Korean Ilbo and the National Daily reported that recently a netizen who claimed to be a Korean exchange student revealed that he had met Lee Gen and his group in the Polish hotel where he stayed. The latter often asked the filming assistants to "take the film like a practical battle", and kept reshooting, so that he initially regarded Lee Gen as an actor. He also said that Li Gen may set off and return home after shooting enough materials.
plus Yonhap News Agency reported on March 28 that Demian Magro, spokesman for the "Terminal Defense International Team" of the Ukrainian Army's Foreigners Volunteer Army, revealed that Li Gen did not fight on the front line, and the statement that "Li Gen made a show on the Ukrainian battlefield" is becoming more and more intense.
Until May 13, Li Gen accepted an exclusive interview with Korean media SBS News about his first battle in Ukraine, responding to relevant controversies. During this period, he claimed that he was safe and refuted that rumors of his stay in a hotel near Poland were untrue.
"Captain Li Gen" received the medal awarded by the Ukrainian government
However, just one day later (May 14), the agent of "Captain Li Gen" claimed that Li Gen was injured while commanding a special reconnaissance mission in southern Ukraine recently and was sent to the Force Hospital for treatment. Subsequently, the Ukrainian Foreigner Volunteer Army's "Terminal Defense International Team" stated on social media on the 19th that "Captain Li Gen" will return to South Korea to recuperate after being treated by the Ukrainian Army Hospital.
Ukrainian side announced that "Captain Li Gen" will return to South Korea to recuperate
On May 27, "Captain Li Gen" flew back to South Korea. After arriving at Seoul Incheon International Airport on the morning of the same day, Li Gen was interviewed by Korean media. When asked about the public opinion controversy caused by going to Ukraine to participate in the war, he said that he did not care what others said and would cooperate with the police to investigate and accept punishment. When asked about the difficulty of returning to Ukraine to participate in the war, Li Gen said that he returned to China for rehabilitation and treatment, and said that he was in South Korea and his heart was in Ukraine, and he wanted to go back and continue fighting.
Li Gen also said that he rejected Ukrainian naturalization proposal, "because I am Korean." Li Gen also told Korean media that obtaining Ukrainian citizenship is suspected of evading fines and trials, so not naturalized is the right choice.
However, due to suspected violation of South Korea's "Passport Law", Li Gen was investigated and questioned by the South Korean police at the airport as soon as he entered the country. After checking his injuries, the police immediately issued a restricted exit order on him, and the next step is to arrange a follow-up investigation based on his treatment progress and health status. According to Li Gen, the cruciate ligament in his knees was torn and needed surgery.
On May 27, "Captain Lee Gen" was interviewed by Korean media at Incheon International Airport
After returning to South Korea, "Captain Lee Gen" underwent MRI examination in the hospital
June 13, South Korean police announced that "Captain Lee Gen" took the initiative to be arrested on the 10th and was investigated by the Seoul Police Department. According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee Gen, who is suspected of violating the Passport Act, admitted most of the suspicions during the investigation, and the police will transfer Lee Gen to the prosecution within this week based on the investigation results.
As for whether the charges of "crime of private war against foreign countries" discussed by the outside world apply to "captain Lee Gen", according to the East Asian Ilbo, relevant police sources explained: "We have only investigated the allegations of Li Gen suspected of violating the Passport Act." According to the South Korean Criminal Law, "crime of private war against foreign countries" refers to the crime of an individual fighting a foreign government without the order of the head of state, and may be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than one year and not more than three years.
