Ministry of Foreign Affairs Completes Passport Invalidation for Actress Yoon Ji-oh at Police Request

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reported to have invalidated the passport of actress Yoon Ji-oh, who has been the sole witness in the 'late Jang Ja-yeon case' and is currently under suspicion of fundraising fraud.

According to related government departments on the 14th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs completed the invalidation of Yoon's passport on December 20 of last year, following a police request. Under the current Passport Act, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can order the surrender of passports from nationals residing abroad who have arrest warrants or detention warrants issued for crimes punishable by imprisonment of two years or more.

As Yoon is known to be staying in Canada, the passport invalidation measure has made it difficult for her to travel to other countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs notified her of the passport surrender order through a public announcement on its website, but when Yoon did not return her passport within the deadline, it was automatically invalidated.

It remains uncertain whether the Canadian government will classify Yoon as an illegal immigrant. The government explained that this is a matter for the judicial authorities of the respective country to decide, considering the stay permits and other factors.

Yoon was sued and accused of defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act and fundraising fraud, but she left for Canada at the end of April last year and has not returned since.

Additionally, an Interpol Red Notice has been issued for Yoon. The Red Notice is the strongest measure among wanted notices, and if the person is apprehended, they are immediately extradited to the country that issued the notice.