Police Investigate All Allegations and Complaints Against Nursing Home Run by Yoon's In-Laws

Results of Investigation into Fraudulent Receipt of Nursing Care Benefits and Abuse Forwarded to Authorities

The police are reportedly conducting a comprehensive investigation into all reports and accusations related to fraudulent receipt of nursing care benefits and abuse of residents at a nursing home operated by the family of former President Yoon Seokyeol.

According to Yonhap News on May 22, citing relevant agencies, the police are investigating all matters concerning Nursing Home A, located in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province. The report states that there are three main allegations or accusations related to this nursing home: fraudulent receipt of nursing care benefits, abuse of residents, and abandonment resulting in death.

A nursing home located in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, operated by the family of former President Yoon Seokyeol. Photo by Yonhap News (provided by reader)

Previously, at the end of last month, the National Health Insurance Service and the local administrative authority, Namyangju City, conducted a joint audit of accounting records regarding the suspicion of fraudulent receipt of nursing care benefits. As a result, they confirmed missing supporting documents for a total of three cases from 2022 to February of this year. Since then, Namyangju City has been reviewing whether these matters should be referred to the police for investigation.

Meanwhile, Jung Chunseong, a lawmaker from the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, filed a complaint against Choi Eunsun, the mother-in-law of former President Yoon, and Kim Jinwoo, his brother-in-law, on charges of abandonment resulting in death and violation of the Welfare of the Aged Act (elder abuse). The complaint alleges that the nursing home delayed transferring an octogenarian resident, who had suffered from diarrhea for over three weeks, to a hospital, ultimately resulting in the resident’s death.

Jung asserted, “This case is not simply a matter of poor management at the nursing home. An elderly resident suffering from diarrhea was left unattended for nearly three weeks without being taken to a hospital, resulting in death, which constitutes both physical and emotional abuse.” He added, “Kim Keonhee and Yoon Seokyeol, who condoned the illegal operation of the nursing home, are also responsible. The police should immediately secure all records of the nursing home and hold those responsible accountable under the law.”

The Gyeonggi Northern Provincial Police Agency, which has been assigned this case, has agreed with Namyangju City and other relevant agencies to investigate all previously reported matters together. The Gyeonggi Northern Elder Protection Agency also investigated the abuse of residents and recently submitted related materials and an opinion letter to the police. Upon reviewing this year’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, it was confirmed that some residents had their diapers changed multiple times without privacy screens and were restrained for extended periods.

The agency also investigated the abandonment resulting in death, but was unable to substantiate the charges due to lack of investigative authority. Based on the results of this investigation, the city plans to conduct a hearing process and decide on administrative measures such as suspension of operations for any violations. However, since Jung filed a complaint regarding these matters, the police have launched an investigation.

Separately, an inspection of the food hygiene at Nursing Home A found that the cook was not wearing a mask and some cooking utensils were contaminated with foreign substances. As a result, the contracted company was notified of a fine ranging from 200,000 to 500,000 won.

The police are also considering whether to include in their investigation additional internal allegations, such as poor meal quality and misappropriation of residents’ deposits, which have recently come to light.

Nursing Home A, which opened in 2017, is operated by the family of Choi Eunsun, the mother of Kim Keonhee, wife of former President Yoon. Kim Jinwoo, Kim Keonhee’s brother, serves as the CEO, while Choi Eunsun is reportedly in charge of actual management.