Rep. Joo Chulhyun Claims Son's Fraud Case Is "Political Oppression"

Convicted of Defrauding 20 Billion Won in Guarantee Certificates
"Son Left Bankrupt After Franchise Collapse"
Harsh Investigation Cited Due to Opposition Party Ties

Joo Chulhyun

Joo Chulhyun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Yeosu-gap in South Jeolla Province, stated that he considers the trial involving his son's fraud case to be an act of "political oppression."

On September 19, Joo wrote on his Facebook page, "Recently, my son was convicted in the first trial on charges of defrauding the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund of guarantee certificates worth more than 20 billion won in connection with operating a Korean medicine clinic franchise. My son, along with his spouse, both licensed Korean medicine doctors, operated the main branch of a hospital called Gwangdeokan Jeong and managed 45 franchise clinics, making it the second-largest Korean medicine franchise in the country," he explained.

He continued, "However, after the Yoon Sukyeol administration took office, my son was subjected to a prosecution investigation and a National Tax Service audit from early 2023. Although the court dismissed the arrest warrant, the franchise was dismantled, my son became a credit delinquent, and he has been suffering through investigations and trials for nearly three years. To receive a guarantee certificate through the preliminary startup guarantee system, which is part of a promising startup growth support program operated by the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, one must demonstrate financial capacity with a certificate of deposit balance. The allegation is that franchise clinics borrowed money from the main branch to submit these balance certificates, thereby deceiving the fund to obtain guarantee certificates," he said.

He added, "If, as the first trial court judged, depositing borrowed money from acquaintances to prove one’s own capital is considered a crime, then all 10,000 medical professionals who received guarantee certificates and opened clinics through this system should also be investigated and prosecuted. The practice of issuing startup guarantee certificates to medical professionals is so common, yet the Yoon Sukyeol administration's authoritarian prosecutors targeted my son simply because he is the son of an opposition party lawmaker close to Lee Jaemyung, subjecting him to harsh investigations and tax audits as a form of political persecution."

In conclusion, Joo stated, "This has strengthened my resolve to help bring about a democratic administration, to elect Lee Jaemyung as president, and to create a society where no one suffers from unjust targeted investigations or tax audits. I ask for your understanding and generosity regarding my son's case," he added.

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