Prosecution Summons Yoon Seok-yeol's Mother-in-Law for Investigation Related to 'Nursing Hospital' Allegations

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae (left) and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Following the directive of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, the prosecution, which is conducting investigations into close associates and family members of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, is currently summoning Yoon's mother-in-law for questioning.

The Criminal Division 6 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Park Soon-bae) summoned Choi Mo, Yoon's mother-in-law, on the morning of the 12th and is investigating various allegations related to a nursing hospital in Paju where Choi served as co-chairperson.

Choi invested 200 million KRW in October 2012 and, together with business partner Koo Mo, established a medical foundation and subsequently founded a nursing hospital in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.

However, from May 2013 for two years, it was discovered that the hospital fraudulently received 2.2 billion KRW in nursing care benefits from the National Health Insurance Service, resulting in three of Choi's business partners being convicted of violating the Medical Service Act and fraud charges.

During this process, Choi avoided prosecution by receiving a "letter of exemption from responsibility" upon stepping down as chairperson in May 2014, which stated that she would not be held accountable for the hospital's operations.

In April, Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party, and others filed a complaint accusing Prosecutor General Yoon and Choi of involvement in the decision not to prosecute Choi.

Last month, Minister Choo exercised her authority over investigation directives to exclude Prosecutor General Yoon from directing the investigation into this case and ordered the reinforcement of the investigative team.

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