Jeoncheongjo Prison Letter: "It's Amazing to See Myself on TV"
5th Trial on the 26th This Month... Jeon to Miss Due to Cross-Examination
Jeon Cheong-jo (28), who was arrested and indicted for a 3 billion won investment fraud by impersonating a third-generation chaebol heir, wrote in a prison letter that he had become a "superstar."
According to The Fact on the 26th, Jeon wrote to an acquaintance, Mr. A, on December 4 last year from prison, saying, "When I first came here (detention center), I saw myself on TV and was amazed, saying 'Wow'." He pointed to a phrase written in the corner of the letter, "Seeing how hard things are now, I guess I have become a cosmic superstar," and said, "No matter how much I think about it, it seems true. I am still a superstar."
In another letter, Jeon wrote, "I still like (Nam Hyun-hee). I know I shouldn't, so I'm holding back. I don't think I'll ever see Hyun-hee again," and added, "But you never know with people. I'm a very bad person."
He also wrote, "Hyun-hee's favorite number was 4444. It means 'a person who loves (4) loves a person who loves (4)'," and mentioned, "If you look at my inmate number during the confrontation interrogation, you will be very surprised."
Upon hearing this, Nam's side reportedly requested the police to take safety measures during the confrontation interrogation, expressing concerns about Jeon's mental state.
Nam's lawyer submitted a statement on the 26th ahead of an additional confrontation interrogation, saying, "During the confrontation investigation, safety and accident-free procedures are necessary to prevent Nam from suffering greater shock due to Jeon's provocations," and added, "Jeon continuously tells contradictory lies, claiming in prison letters that he likes Nam while simultaneously falsely accusing Nam of being an accomplice in the investigation and trial conducted at the same time."
It was revealed that Nam has been diagnosed with a severe depressive episode requiring "three months of medication treatment" due to shock and stress.
Jeon was arrested and indicted on November 29 last year on charges of fraud under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, forgery and use of forged official documents, and forgery and use of forged private documents. He is accused of impersonating a hidden heir of a famous domestic company from March to October last year and receiving over 3 billion won from 27 victims under the pretense of investment funds.
Jeon admitted to the charges from the first trial but is disputing whether he conspired with Lee Mo (27), his security chief, and Nam during the trial.
Lee is accused of acting as Jeon's security chief, receiving and managing over 2.1 billion won of the victim's money in his own account, leasing the Signiel Residence and supercars under his name to provide to Jeon, and colluding with Jeon to pocket about 200 million won.
Jeon continues to claim Nam as an accomplice. At a trial held on the 15th at the Seoul Eastern District Court, when asked by the prosecutor, "Who played the biggest role in the crime?" Jeon claimed, "Security chief Lee and Nam Hyun-hee." Jeon also stated that they divided some of the investment funds, which were embezzled in US dollars, and exchanged them among the three.
Meanwhile, on the 26th, the 5th trial between Jeon and Lee, who was identified as another accomplice, was held at the Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 11. Jeon did not attend the trial due to the confrontation investigation schedule. Lee's side denied the conspiracy charges again while submitting additional evidence.
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