'Assault and Threats' Chef Jeong Chang-wook's Sentence Reduced in Second Trial... 4 Months Imprisonment

First Trial: 10 Months Imprisonment... 6 Months Sentence Reduction

Famous chef Jung Chang-wook (43), who was prosecuted for assaulting a colleague he worked with and threatening them with a weapon out of anger, received a reduced sentence in the second trial.

On the 27th, the 8-1 Criminal Appeal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judges Kim Ik-hwan, Kim Bong-gyu, Kim Jin-young) overturned the original sentence of 10 months imprisonment for Jung Chang-wook, who was charged with special intimidation and other offenses, and sentenced him to 4 months imprisonment.

Chef Jung Chang-wook [Photo by Yonhap News]

Jung Chang-wook is accused of assaulting YouTube channel staff members A and B and threatening them by pointing a weapon found in the kitchen at them or stabbing it into a desk after finishing filming in Hawaii, USA, in August 2021 because he was angry. He is also charged with verbally abusing and threatening staff member A with a weapon during a dispute related to YouTube filming at a restaurant he operated in Seoul in June of the same year.

After the incident was revealed through exposure, he admitted it was "clearly my fault" and stated, "I will make efforts to restore the victims' damages. I will sincerely comply with the judgment of the judicial authorities." At the second trial held in August, Jung acknowledged all charges, saying, "I regret causing social controversy and inflicting irreparable wounds on the victims." He also appealed for leniency, promising, "I will serve society to become a sincere member of the community."

Previously, the appellate court scheduled the sentencing for the 22nd of last month but postponed it to give Jung another chance to reach an agreement with the victims. However, Jung failed to settle with the victims.

The appellate court pointed out, "Considering the circumstances, content, and means of the crime, the nature of the offense is very serious, and the victims appear to have suffered significant psychological shock and are pleading for severe punishment." Regarding the sentencing, the court stated, "However, considering that Jung deposited 30 million won each at the second trial and admitted all charges, the first trial's sentence was too harsh." The court added, "Since he has faithfully appeared in court so far and there is no reason for detention, he will not be detained in court separately."

Chef Jung Chang-wook, a fourth-generation Korean-Japanese, became known through his appearance on JTBC's Refrigerator Please. Since then, he has appeared on various programs and actively communicated with fans while running a cooking YouTube channel.

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