Former Jeoncheongjo, a 'Gwangbokjeol Pardon' Recipient... Commits Fraud Again After Release

Last August, Pardoned on Gwangbokjeol Special Pardon with Sentence Exemption
Continued Fraud Even After Pardon... Damage Amount 2.8 Billion Won
Legal Circles Say "Fraud Should Not Be Included in Pardon Targets"

Jeon Cheong-jo (right), who was arrested on fraud charges, and Nam Hyun-hee (left), who is under investigation as an accomplice. [Photo by YouTube channel 'Entertainment President Lee Jin-ho']

Jeon Cheong-jo (27), who was the remarriage partner of former national fencing representative Nam Hyun-hee (42), is reported to have been granted a pardon for the remainder of his sentence last year as part of the 'Gwangbokjeol Special Pardon.'

According to the legal community on the 14th, the 4th Criminal Division of the Incheon District Court (then Chief Judge Ko Young-gu) sentenced Jeon to 2 years and 3 months in prison in December 2020 on charges including fraud. The court stated in the verdict, "The defendant deceived multiple victims and embezzled a large sum close to 300 million won, which is a very serious offense," and pointed out, "He has not compensated most of the victims."

While serving his prison sentence, Jeon was included in the Gwangbokjeol special pardon list in August last year. At that time, the government granted special pardons to 1,693 people, including small and medium-sized business owners, small merchants, key economic figures, labor-management officials, and specially considered inmates. The pardon list is not disclosed due to privacy concerns.

Jeon was released through a 'standard pardon,' which selects and pardons those who meet specific criteria. At that time, Jeon had served more than 90% of his sentence, including the detention period, and was on parole. Considering these circumstances, the pardon review committee reportedly exempted him from serving the remaining sentence. Crimes such as murder, robbery, organized violence, sexual violence, and bribery are excluded from pardons, but 'fraud' is not.

Jeon Cheong-jo, who recently caused a stir with a fraud scheme amounting to 3 billion won, was brought to the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office after appearing at the Songpa Police Station in Seoul on the morning of the 10th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

After being released by the special pardon, Jeon engaged in fraudulent activities again and was sent to the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office on the 10th under detention on charges of fraud under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (Special Act on Economic Crimes). The number of confirmed victims so far is 23, with damages amounting to approximately 2.8 billion won.

A special pardon is a measure that exempts the execution of a sentence or suspends the effect of a sentence, unlike simple parole, which only releases a person from detention. The legal community points out that it is problematic that fraud is not included among the crimes excluded from special pardons.

Meanwhile, Jeon Cheong-jo was recently known as the remarriage partner of former national fencing representative Nam Hyun-hee but became embroiled in various suspicions, including embezzlement of investment funds, gender transition, impersonation of a third-generation chaebol family member, and former equestrian athlete.

He later admitted through several broadcast programs and interviews that he is not an illegitimate child of a chaebol third generation and stated that he is currently legally female and undergoing procedures to become male, including breast removal surgery and hormone injections.

The police are also investigating whether Nam Hyun-hee was involved in conspiring with Jeon Cheong-jo in the fraud.