Mother-in-law sentenced to 3 years in prison 'detained in court'... Yoon: "No exceptions in law enforcement" (Comprehensive Report 2)

Violation of Medical Law and Fraud under Special Act Both Guilty
Court: "Harm to Entire Public... Heavy Responsibility"

Defense: "Evidence and Legal Reasoning Do Not Match" Protest

Choi, the mother-in-law of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who is accused of opening a nursing hospital and embezzling nursing benefits, is attending the first trial sentencing hearing held on the 2nd at the Uijeongbu District Court in Ganeung-dong, Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Sung-pil] Choi Eun-soon (74), the mother-in-law of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who was prosecuted for receiving fraudulent nursing care benefits from the National Health Insurance Service by opening a nursing hospital, was sentenced to imprisonment in the first trial. This is the first court ruling on a family case since former Prosecutor General Yoon officially declared his presidential bid.

The Criminal Division 13 of the Uijeongbu District Court (Presiding Judge Jung Sung-kyun) sentenced Choi to three years in prison and ordered her immediate detention on the 2nd, on charges of violating the Medical Service Act and the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (fraud). The court stated, "The defendant's crime worsened the finances of the National Health Insurance Service, causing harm to the entire nation, and thus bears heavy responsibility. Nevertheless, the defendant continues to shift responsibility even during this trial, refuses to admit wrongdoing, and the amount defrauded exceeds 2 billion won, causing significant damage," explaining the sentencing rationale.

Choi is accused of establishing and operating a nursing hospital in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, after founding a medical foundation with three partners in 2013, and embezzling nursing care benefits. Although this hospital did not qualify as a medical institution under the Medical Service Act eligible for nursing care benefits from the National Health Insurance Service, it was investigated that they received approximately 2.29 billion won over two years starting in 2013.

During the trial, Choi's side denied all allegations, claiming she did not participate in hospital operations, but the court did not accept this. The court judged, "Based on the fundamentally acknowledged facts, it is recognized that the defendant was involved in hospital contracts and staff recruitment." It further stated, "Even if the partners played a more leading role, the defendant also took the lead and contributed to the essence of the matter. Accordingly, responsibility for the fraud committed during the operation is also recognized."

Originally, the investigation began in 2015 at the Paju Police Station in Gyeonggi Province, and three partners were booked. They were prosecuted and found guilty by the Supreme Court in 2017. On the other hand, Choi was cleared of charges after resigning as chairman in 2014, citing a 'release of liability agreement' from the management stating she would not be held responsible for hospital operations.

The investigation into Choi resumed in April last year following complaints by Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party, and Hwang Hee-seok, Supreme Council member of the same party. The prosecution charged Choi, stating that even if the parties had signed a 'release of liability agreement,' it does not affect the establishment of a crime.

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol [Image source=Yonhap News]

Choi's legal representative, lawyer Son Kyung-sik, said after the sentencing, "The first trial court's ruling does not align with the evidence and legal principles," and added, "We plan to further clarify the truth and contest the charges in the appeal trial." Regarding the immediate detention, he said, "The prosecution has already secured all evidence, and where could a 75-year-old elderly person flee? Of course, we respect the court's decision, but as a legal professional, I strongly disagree."

The court's ruling is expected to influence the political sphere ahead of the major event of the presidential election. Former Prosecutor General Yoon officially declared his candidacy on the 29th of last month. In this context, the guilty verdict is likely to affect the future trajectory of Yoon, a leading opposition presidential candidate.

Besides this case, among former Prosecutor General Yoon's family, his wife Kim Geon-hee is under investigation by the prosecution for alleged corporate sponsorship related to the 'Kobana Contents' exhibition, and both Kim and Choi are being investigated for alleged stock price manipulation of 'Deutsch Motors.' Choi is also on trial for forging bank balance certificates with partners during the purchase of land in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.

However, former Prosecutor General Yoon previously stated, "I hold the belief that everyone should receive equal investigation and trial according to law and principles, and no one, including family, should be exempt," so it is expected that he will continue his political activities until the final verdict is issued. After the sentencing, Yoon said, "As I have repeatedly emphasized, my belief is that there are no exceptions in the application of the law."

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