Seo Jung-jin, Chairman of Celltrion, Biological Mother of Extramarital Child Sent to Prosecution on Extortion Charges

Extortion of 14.3 Billion Won Through Continued Threats
Charged with Defamation for Stating False Facts

Jo Mo (58), accused of extorting 14.3 billion KRW from Seo Jung-jin, Chairman of Celltrion, under the pretext of child support for two illegitimate daughters, has been handed over to the prosecution.

On the 12th, the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul announced that Jo was sent to the prosecution on the 8th on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (extortion and concealment of assets abroad) and defamation by false statements.

Chairman Seo Jung-jin of Celltrion Group Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, Chairman Seo filed a complaint with the Gangnam Police Station in May last year, stating that Jo had continuously threatened him from 2012 until last year and extorted 28.8 billion KRW, of which 14.3 billion KRW was clearly extorted.

At that time, Seo’s side claimed that Jo threatened him by saying things like, "If you don’t send the money, I will go to Incheon (Celltrion headquarters)."

Jo is also accused of posting banners criticizing Chairman Seo near the Celltrion building and illegally remitting large sums of money received from Seo overseas.

Additionally, Jo was charged with attempted extortion for demanding a house in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, from Chairman Seo.

Seo’s two illegitimate children filed a paternity suit against him at the Suwon Family Court Seongnam Branch in 2021. Following a settlement, they were legally registered as Seo’s daughters.

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