"Managing 5.6 Billion KRW Without Consent"... Eugene Park Files Embezzlement Complaint Against Aunt

Managed Assets Worth 5.6 Billion KRW Without Consent
Suspected of Using 2.8 Billion KRW from the Assets

Former violinist Eugene Park has filed an embezzlement complaint against his maternal aunt, prompting an investigation by prosecutors. On May 7, MBN reported that the Major Crimes Investigation Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (headed by Prosecutor Uh Inseong) summoned Park's aunt, identified as Ms. A, for questioning in mid-April. According to Park's side, Ms. A managed assets worth a total of approximately 5.6 billion KRW, including real estate and bank deposits under Park's name, without his consent, and is believed to have used about 2.8 billion KRW of these funds. Park filed an embezzlement complaint with the prosecution last month.

After questioning Ms. A once, prosecutors imposed a travel ban on her. However, it is reported that the ban was lifted after Ms. A appointed a lawyer and expressed her intention to cooperate with the investigation. Eugene Park, a graduate of the Juilliard School, gained attention both domestically and internationally as a "genius violinist." However, he has suffered from mental health challenges such as depression and bipolar disorder, and there have been allegations in the past that he was assaulted by industry associates.

Ms. A, who resides in the United States, filed a petition with the Seoul Family Court in June 2016, seeking to be appointed as Park's guardian. The adult guardianship system is designed to help individuals who lack the capacity to manage their own affairs, such as those with dementia or developmental disabilities, by appointing a guardian to assist with legal matters and daily life. The guardian's duties are supervised by the court. In June 2017, the court accepted the petition and initiated adult guardianship proceedings, but appointed the Hanul Mental Health Welfare Foundation as guardian instead of Ms. A.

Six days after the decision, Ms. A withdrew her petition, resulting in the cancellation of the guardian appointment. Later, when it became known that Eugene Park had been defrauded by his manager, Ms. A applied again for guardianship. In December 2019, a family acquaintance of Park's late mother was appointed as his personal guardian, while the C Welfare Foundation was designated as his legal representative guardian.