"Wanted to Be Loved"...Prosecutors Demand 15 Years Prison Sentence in Appeal Trial for Jeoncheongjo

"I sincerely reflect and apologize"
Tearfully pledges to strive for victim recovery

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The prosecution has requested a 15-year prison sentence in the appellate trial for Jeon Cheong-jo (28), who was sentenced to 12 years in the first trial for impersonating a third-generation chaebol heir and committing an investment fraud worth tens of billions of won. Jeon was seen tearfully making a remorseful statement.

On the 11th, at the sentencing hearing held before the 13th Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judges Baek Gang-jin, Kim Seon-hee, and Lee In-su), the prosecution requested this sentence for Jeon.

Jeon's defense attorney stated, "The first trial's sentence exceeded the upper limit of the recommended range and is very excessive even when considering similar cases. I cautiously suggest that negative media coverage and social interest may have influenced the decision," and requested, "Please ensure that he receives a sentence appropriate to the crime he committed."

In his final statement, Jeon said, "I sincerely repent and apologize for my wrongful actions," and reportedly became tearful while saying, "I will bow my head and apologize until my apology reaches the victims, and I will do my utmost to restore the damages." He added, "Due to an unstable family environment during my childhood, I was deprived of love and perhaps did not understand love well, so I felt I had to do anything to receive others' love," and admitted, "I caused financial harm to the victims just to be loved."

Although a heavy sentence was requested, Jeon said that the prosecutor's stern advice helped him understand the victims' feelings. He said, "I realized that my wrongdoing was a crime. I feel like I met a real adult," and added, "Writing a letter of repentance helped me realize even more."

Jeon also expressed regret toward Lee Mo (27), who served as his security team leader and was jointly arrested and indicted on fraud charges, receiving a 1 year and 6 months sentence in the first trial. Jeon said, "If I had been a proper person, I wouldn't be sitting here," and added, "I am a worse person for making him do bad things." The prosecution requested a 7-year prison sentence for Lee.

Meanwhile, Jeon was arrested and indicted on charges of fraud under the Specific Economic Crimes Act for receiving and embezzling about 3 billion won from 27 people he met through lectures and other means from April 2022 to October last year under the pretense of investment funds. Investigations revealed that he pretended to be a hidden heir of Paradise Hotel and deceived victims by offering secret investment opportunities known only to chaebols. The appellate sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 12.

In addition to this crime, Jeon is facing separate trials for additional charges, including extorting 358 million won under the pretense of unlisted stock investment funds. He is also on trial for assaulting the nephew of Nam Hyun-hee (43), a former national fencing representative who was known as his remarriage partner.