Did Her Wealthy Husband Quash the Investigation? Yang Jungwon Appears Before Police, Remains Silent on Husband-Related Questions
Suspected of Involvement in Contract Violations Against Pilates Franchise Owners
Summoned as a Suspect Amid Controversy Over Husband's Alleged Intervention in Investigation
Yang Jungwon (36), a television personality and former Pilates instructor, appeared at the police station on April 29 as a suspect amid allegations that she used her businessman husband’s influence to suppress an investigation into a “Pilates business fraud” case.
Arriving at the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul around 12:30 p.m. that day, Yang told reporters, “I will cooperate fully with the investigation,” and added, “I will make sure to clarify the parts I find unfair. I hope the truth will be made clear.” She did not respond to questions such as “Did you have any involvement in operating the Pilates business?” and “What did you discuss with your husband regarding the investigation?” and proceeded directly to the interrogation room.
Previously, in December 2024, Yang was cleared of charges related to allegations of franchise fraud at a Pilates academy, with the case dismissed without indictment. During this process, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office suspected that Yang’s husband, surnamed Lee, who is known to be wealthy, may have offered entertainment to Inspector A, then the head of Investigation Team 1 at Gangnam Police Station, in order to suppress the investigation.
However, Yang is said to have maintained that she was not directly involved. She explained that her husband’s contact with the police was merely to expedite the case.
The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office believes that Mr. Lee privately contacted Inspector A and offered him money, and is investigating Mr. Lee for bribery, while Inspector A is under investigation for accepting bribes and leaking official secrets. However, Yang has reportedly argued that the information allegedly leaked by Inspector A was unrelated to the not-guilty conclusion reached by Gangnam Police Station.
In July 2024, Yang was sued by franchise owners on charges of fraud and violation of the Fair Transactions in Franchise Business Act, and has since been investigated by both Investigation Team 1 and Investigation Team 2 at Gangnam Police Station. Investigation Team 1, led by Inspector A, determined that Yang’s alleged franchise fraud was not closely related to that of other suspects and issued a non-indictment decision in December of that year, but Investigation Team 2 has continued its investigation. Investigation Team 2 had previously suspended the investigation in October last year due to another suspect’s unknown whereabouts, but resumed it earlier this year after locating the individual.
On this day, Gangnam Police Station summoned Yang and the head of the Pilates franchise academy for a face-to-face inquiry. The franchisees suspect that Yang may have colluded with the academy’s head, and included her in their lawsuit, but Yang’s side maintains that she was only a model for the franchise and was not involved in its operations or aware of specific business matters.
Prosecutors have currently detained Mr. Lee, and police officers involved in the case, including Inspector A, have been suspended or are under internal investigation. Mr. Lee faces charges of bribery and violation of the Capital Markets Act in connection with the alleged attempt to suppress the investigation. Police explained that Yang’s latest summons relates to a separate lawsuit from the case for which she had previously been cleared.
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Meanwhile, Yang debuted as an actress in 2008 in the tvN drama “Rude Miss Youngae Season 3” and gained widespread popularity in 2016 on MBC’s “My Little Television,” earning the title “Pilates Goddess.” She married in May 2023 and announced the birth of her son in December of the same year.
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