‘Cheese Toll’ Mister Pizza Former Chairman Jung Woo-hyun… Supreme Court Orders Retrial for Fair Trade Act Violation

First Trial: 'Fair Trade Act Recognized' → Second Trial: Judged on 'Breach of Trust' Charges
Supreme Court: "Concerns Over Hindering Fair and Free Competition Are Valid"

Jung Woo-hyun, former chairman of MP Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] Jeong Woo-hyun, the founder of Mr. Pizza and former chairman of MP Group (71), who profited tens of billions of won through his younger brother's companies via "cheese tolls," is set to face trial again.

The Supreme Court's 1st Division (Presiding Justice Noh Tae-ak) announced on the 24th that it overturned the original ruling, which sentenced Jeong to 3 years in prison with a 4-year probation for breach of trust under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, and remanded the case to the Seoul High Court.

Jeong was prosecuted on charges of inserting two companies operated by his younger brother into the cheese distribution process from 2005 to 2017, enabling them to collect 5.7 billion won in cheese tolls.

The first trial court judged the cheese tolls as a violation of the Fair Trade Act, sentencing him to 3 years in prison with 4 years probation and ordering 200 hours of community service. The second trial court maintained the sentence but recognized the charges as breach of trust for causing losses to the company, rather than a violation of the Fair Trade Act.

However, the Supreme Court acknowledged both the violation of the Fair Trade Act and the breach of trust charges. The court ruled that "it is reasonable to consider that it could hinder fair and free competition."

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