Jeon Du-hwan's Grandson: "Our Family Has Enough Money Not to Starve Until We Die"

Mother Laundered Money Through Acquaintance
Will Not Give Up Without Investigation

The late former President Jeon Du-hwan's grandson, Jeon Woo-won, stated on the 16th, "The family has enough (black) money not to starve to death until they die."

In an interview with KBS on the same day, Woo-won explained the meaning of "black money" by saying, "My mother and other family members own several real estate properties in Yeonhui-dong, Seoul." He added, "My mother owns two houses in Yeonhui-dong, each over 75 pyeong, and I used to switch between luxury foreign cars like Mercedes-Benz and Lexus when meeting Jeon Jae-yong."

Former President Jeon Du-hwan and Mrs. Lee Soon-ja [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the unclear source of the money the family uses, Woo-won explained by citing his mother as an example. He said, "When my mother withdrew money received from the family, she laundered it through acquaintances before using it," adding, "If the money was genuinely cleanly earned, would there be any reason to receive cash through acquaintances and send it elsewhere?"

Woo-won claimed that the black money his mother received from the family was substantial. He stated, "Jeon Jae-yong had a long-term affair with Park Sang-ah while legally married to my mother, and at that time, the family gave a lot of money to keep things quiet," adding, "She also received a large amount of alimony."

Woo-won predicted that neither his mother nor other family members would voluntarily give up this black money. He emphasized, "Even my mother received money after going through various ordeals when Jeon Jae-yong had an affair with Park Sang-ah," and "The family members are definitely not the type to give up the money unless there is an investigation (such as seizure)."

Woo-won also revealed that while Jeon Du-hwan was alive, the family gathered at luxury hotels several times to enjoy meals. He said, "We went to well-known hotels and rented out entire restaurants, having course meals together multiple times," adding, "This was not a meal that someone with only 290,000 won in total assets could afford."

Previously, Jeon Du-hwan was indicted in April 1997 on charges including rebellion under the Military Criminal Act, treason, murder for the purpose of rebellion, and bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. The Supreme Court confirmed a life sentence and a fine of 220.5 billion won. However, he resisted paying the fine, claiming, "I only have 290,000 won in total assets."

Jeon Du-hwan passed away on November 23, 2021, and aside from the 128.3 billion won in assets recovered by the prosecution, the remaining 92.2 billion won remains unpaid as a fine. Under current criminal procedure law, the enforcement of unpaid fines is suspended upon the death of the subject. However, the prosecution continues to pursue the collection of funds through remaining auction proceeds and new legal grounds (such as court settlements) that allow for seizure.