Director Jeong Ji-young Accused of Subsidy Embezzlement, Prosecutors File Charges

Director Jeong Ji-young [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Film director Jeong Ji-young, a progressive figure in the film industry, has been reported to the prosecution on charges of embezzling subsidies paid by public institutions.

On the 24th, lawyer Yang Tae-jung of the Good Lawyers Public Interest Reporting Center announced that he would file a complaint with the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office against Director Jeong and Aura Pictures on charges of embezzlement, fraud, and violation of the Subsidy Management Act. Lawyer Yang represents whistleblower and screenwriter Han Hyun-geun.

Screenwriter Han claimed that in 2011, Director Jeong and others embezzled funds provided by the Korea Film Council (KOFIC) to Aura Pictures, the production company of "Broken Arrow," intended to improve staff treatment, by depositing the subsidy into staff bank accounts and then withdrawing it back into the producer’s account. He also explained that during the production of "Namyeong-dong 1985" in 2012, some salaries paid to staff were similarly withdrawn back into the production company representative’s account, constituting embezzlement.

Han, who worked with Director Jeong on several film projects, stated that although Director Jeong and Aura Pictures earned tens of billions of won from "Broken Arrow" and "Namyeong-dong 1985," some staff and screenwriters did not receive proper payment. Han’s side revealed, "Aura Pictures is a family company," adding, "Director Jeong’s son is the CEO, his spouse serves as auditor, and Director Jeong himself is an inside director with actual management and decision-making authority."

Director Jeong Ji-young debuted in the film industry in 1982 with "Mist Whispers Like a Woman" and has mainly directed films addressing social issues such as "Southern Army" (1990), "White War" (1992), "Broken Arrow" (2012), and "Namyeong-dong 1985" (2012).

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