Police Decide Not to Prosecute Yoon President's 4.5 Million Won Special Activity Expense Allegation

Chief Secretary Kim Dae-gi and General Secretary Yoon Jae-soon Also Not Prosecuted
Corruption Investigation Office Transferred Case to Police in October Last Year

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] The police have decided not to prosecute President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was accused of embezzlement in connection with the use of approximately 4.5 million KRW in special activity expenses at a high-end Korean restaurant in Gangnam, Seoul.

According to a summary of Asia Economy's coverage on the 17th, the Seoul Gangnam Police Station decided on the 10th not to prosecute President Yoon, who was accused of embezzlement, breach of trust, and violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, judging that the charges were not substantiated. Kim Dae-gi, Chief of Staff to the President, and Yoon Jae-soon, Secretary General, who were also accused of the same charges, were similarly not prosecuted. The police reportedly made this decision after comprehensively reviewing statements from related parties.

Earlier, the YouTube channel Yeollin Gonggam TV (now Citizen Media The TamSa) raised suspicions that on May 13 of last year, just three days after President Yoon took office, he dined at a high-end Korean restaurant in Gangnam, Seoul, consuming about 9 million KRW worth of alcohol and food, but paid only 4.5 million KRW after receiving a 50% discount.

The civic group Judicial Justice Citizens' Action reported President Yoon to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) on June 7 of the same year, accusing him of embezzlement for using public funds for purposes unrelated to official duties. The CIO transferred the case to the police in October, citing the nature of the incident and the location of the restaurant.

At the time the allegations surfaced, the Korea Taxpayers Federation also requested information disclosure from the Presidential Office regarding the payment amount and receipts for the meal. However, the Presidential Office refused to disclose the information, citing concerns that it could harm significant national interests related to security, diplomacy, and protection, interfere with fair performance of duties, and infringe on privacy.