Jung Sye-kyun on Yoon's "10 Won Coin" Remark: "First Political Statement Denies Prosecutors' Investigation"

"Yoon's Mother-in-law Choi, Suspect Status... Whether She Caused Even 10 Won Damage Will Be Determined in Trial"

Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun sharply criticized Yoon Seok-yeol, a leading opposition presidential candidate, on the 3rd, saying, "Is your first statement after entering politics a denial of the prosecution investigation?" This was a criticism of Yoon's denial of allegations that his mother-in-law fraudulently received nursing hospital benefits, saying, "I have never caused even a 10-won loss to anyone."

Former Prime Minister Chung referred to Yoon's "10-won" remark in a post on his Facebook that day, saying, "This shows how arbitrarily biased and prejudiced the prosecution has exercised its omnipotent power."

He said, "No one is exempt before the law. It is an unwritten rule for politicians to refrain from speaking about ongoing investigations," adding, "This is because they should not influence investigations and trials. Is it the attitude of a former prosecutor general who knows the law to declare innocence in a case under investigation by the prosecution?"

He continued, "Three people who appear to be business partners of Yoon's mother-in-law were already severely punished in 2015 with up to four years in prison," and questioned, "Is the public's view wrong to criticize the prosecution for investigating and indicting six years later?"

Former Prime Minister Chung also emphasized, "Currently, Choi, Yoon's mother-in-law, is under investigation as a suspect for allegations of embezzling a columbarium business, forging bank balance certificates worth about 35 billion won, and transferring a corporation with 500 million won in debt," adding, "Whether Yoon's mother-in-law caused even a 10-won loss will be determined through trials and investigations, not by Yoon's arbitrary judgment."

Furthermore, he targeted Yoon, saying, "Today, he is using a lawyer's words to play the media as if the Central District Prosecutors' Office is holding back the investigation," and added, "Seeing a former prosecutor general criticize the current prosecution, I question what fairness Yoon is talking about."

Finally, Former Prime Minister Chung urged the prosecution, "Since Yoon's side wanted a swift investigation themselves, the prosecution should now immediately proceed with a swift and fair investigation."

Meanwhile, Choi Mo (74), Yoon's mother-in-law, was sentenced to three years in prison by the prosecution on the 31st of last month for fraudulently receiving over 2.2 billion won in nursing care benefits while operating a nursing hospital.

In this regard, Yoon reportedly actively explained the allegations related to his in-laws during recent meetings with People Power Party lawmakers. According to People Power Party lawmaker Chung Jin-seok, Yoon said, "My mother-in-law was just a businessperson," and "If I had any weaknesses, I wouldn't have started politics at all."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.