Winston Lee, one of the seven Cornell University fraternity brothers accused of gang rape by a fellow student, is the grandson of a former South Korean prime minister who also served as an ambassador to the U.S.
Winston, previously a member of the Chi Phi fraternity, faces allegations from a student referred to as “Jane Doe,” claiming that he used ketamine on her and forced her into oral sex during the incident.
Cornell has imposed a two-year suspension on him.
His grandfather, Lee Hong-koo, held the position of South Korea’s prime minister from 1994 to 1995 and went on to be an ambassador to the U.S. from 1998 until 2000, during Bill Clinton’s presidency.
The two men interacted frequently, including at a 2000 event commemorating the Korean War in Washington, where they were photographed together.
Even after Clinton’s presidency, they maintained relations, such as when Lee invited Clinton for a meal of bibimbap during a visit to Seoul in 2005.
Lee Hong-koo passed away in May, and Winston took on a significant role at his grandfather’s funeral in Seoul, conducting important rituals and receiving condolences from guests as part of a family known for their royal lineage in Korea.
Photos show Winston prominently at the funeral, wearing white gloves while holding his grandfather’s portrait.
Barton Lee, Winston’s father and a Yale alum, is an investment banker in Hong Kong, leading operations for EIG in Asia.
The family is regarded as one of the most prominent among South Korean expatriates in Hong Kong, grappling with considerable shame since the allegations surfaced from the anonymous Cornell student.
Winston’s mother, Ji Young Hwang, leads the Korean Women’s Association of Hong Kong, which is recognized by the South Korean government and focuses on women’s empowerment and support.
In light of the allegations, the association deleted its Instagram account, which sparked further criticism.
Some expressed that shutting down the account seemed more about protecting Winston than adhering to the organization’s mission. Questions arose over how a leader of a women’s group could have a son accused of such serious misconduct.
Winston, who attended a prestigious boarding school in Wales, has hired a renowned law firm known for representing high-profile figures in similar cases.
In connection with the incident, Winston supposedly responded to a Snapchat message about an upcoming encounter and subsequently took Jane Doe to a room with another accused party, with the events reportedly concluding around dawn, per the lawsuit.
Currently, he continues his studies at Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences.
The fraternity brothers involved deny all allegations and have not been charged with any crimes.
Winston has stated in discussions with investigators that any contact with Jane Doe was consensual.
Interestingly, the day after the incident, Doe sent a message implying she felt no shame about it, which her lawyer explained was part of the emotional journey she was navigating from denial to acceptance.
Winston is urging for the removal of New York Attorney General Letitia James from the case, as she referred to Jane Doe as a “survivor” on social media, raising concerns about bias against the accused.
Winston’s attorney argued in a recent filing that it is unjust for someone presumed innocent to be investigated by a prosecutor who has seemingly already sided with the alleged victim.
