"The Words of a Conman... Nam Hyun-hee's Plea of Innocence: Absolutely Not an Accomplice of Jeoncheongjo"

Jeon Cheong-jo (28), who was indicted on charges of fraud involving 3 billion KRW, named his former remarriage partner, former national fencing athlete Nam Hyun-hee (42), and security chief Lee as accomplices during the trial. Nam firmly denied the allegations, stating, "I am absolutely not an accomplice."

Former national fencing representative Nam Hyun-hee, accused of being an accomplice in Jeon Cheong-jo's fraud case, is appearing at the Songpa Police Station in Seoul on November 8 last year. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

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According to the legal community on the 17th, on the 15th, the 11th Criminal Division of the Seoul Eastern District Court (Chief Judge Kim Byung-chul) held the second trial session for Jeon and security guard Lee, who were indicted on charges of fraud, forgery of official documents, use of forged official documents, forgery of private documents, and use of forged private documents under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes.

Jeon, who appeared as a witness in court that day, testified in response to the prosecutor's question, "Who played the biggest role in the crime?" by saying, "Nam and Lee." He claimed that Nam and Lee helped him exchange the investment funds he received from Park, who is known to have suffered the largest financial loss. Jeon said, "I understand that Nam exchanged the dollars in cash," adding, "The three of us?Lee, Nam, and I?exchanged the money. The remaining cash was given to Nam and Lee as allowances."

[Image source=Captured from Nam Hyun-hee's Instagram]

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In response to these claims, Nam posted a message titled "Words of a Fraudster" on her social media on the afternoon of the 16th, stating, "Since discovering Jeon Cheong-jo’s true nature on October 25 last year, I have been sincerely cooperating with the police investigation." She denied being an accomplice of Jeon. Nam pleaded, "Please stop publishing articles based solely on the words of a fraudster. I am so wronged that I intend to disclose all the evidence I have submitted to the police so far," and added, "I will prove through the prosecution and police investigation results that I am absolutely not an accomplice. Please wait a little longer."

Jeon Cheong-jo, who was decided to be sent to the prosecution on charges including fraud, is being escorted to the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office after appearing at the Songpa Police Station in Seoul on the morning of November 10 last year.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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In court, Jeon also testified about security guard Lee, saying, "He is a friend from my hometown and we have a senior-junior relationship, so unlike others, I felt a sense of closeness and thought we should work together afterward," and "He did everything related to me."

Lee is accused of impersonating Jeon’s security guard, lending his name to rent luxury residences and foreign cars, and using or transferring approximately 2.1 billion KRW of fraud proceeds under Jeon’s instructions. Additionally, he provided Jeon with a high-end residence rented under his name for a monthly rent of 35 million KRW and a supercar, and altered a regular credit card to appear like a black card with unlimited limits, which he handed over to Jeon.

However, Lee also denies the accomplice charges, claiming he only followed the instructions of his employer Jeon and was unaware of Jeon’s true nature. Lee stated, "I asked Jeon if it was true that he had a fraud record, and Jeon said, 'Yes, but it happened because of my stepmother, so don’t worry about it.'"

Meanwhile, Jeon is accused of impersonating a hidden heir of a famous domestic company along with Lee, recruiting investors, and then defrauding about 30 billion KRW from 27 victims by recommending overseas unlisted stock investments. The next trial for Jeon and Lee is scheduled for the 22nd.

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