The prosecution requested a 20-year prison sentence in the appellate trial of Jeon Cheong-jo (28), who is accused of impersonating a third-generation chaebol heir and committing investment fraud amounting to around 3 billion won.
Jeon Cheong-jo, who was arrested on charges of fraud while impersonating a "third-generation chaebol." [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the morning of the 31st, the Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judges Baek Gang-jin, Kim Seon-hee, and Lee In-su) held the appellate trial sentencing hearing for Jeon, who was indicted on charges including the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (fraud) and the Child Welfare Act violation (child abuse).
The prosecution requested the court to sentence Jeon to 20 years in prison. Previously, in July, the prosecution had requested a 15-year sentence, but after the child abuse charges were consolidated last month, they increased the sentence request.
In his final statement, Jeon said, "I deeply feel that if you commit a crime, you will inevitably be punished and pay the price someday," and added, "I sincerely apologize to the victims. I will bow my head and ask for forgiveness until I am forgiven by everyone."
Earlier, Jeon was arrested and indicted on charges of embezzling about 3 billion won from 27 people he met through lectures and other means from April 2022 to October 2023 under the pretense of investment funds, and was sentenced to 12 years in prison in the first trial on February 1. Additionally, he was further indicted on charges including assault and intimidation of the middle school nephew of former national fencing athlete Nam Hyun-hee (violation of the Child Welfare Act), and was sentenced to an additional 4 years in prison by the Seoul Eastern District Court in September.
The sentencing date for Jeon's appellate trial is scheduled for the 21st of next month.
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