Dr. Jung Heewon Files Complaint Against Former Researcher
"Harassed at Home and Wife's Workplace," He Claims
Demands for "Slow Aging" Rights and Two Years' Income Also Made
Jung Heewon, head of the Institute for Slow Aging and currently Director General of Health at Seoul Metropolitan Government, who is well known for her work on "slow aging," has decided to file a police complaint against former commissioned researcher A for alleged violations of the Anti-Stalking Act and attempted extortion, according to a report by JoongAng Ilbo on December 17.
According to JoongAng Ilbo, Dr. Jung stated, "Since September, A has continuously harassed me by coming to my house and sending threatening letters," adding, "I tried my best to reach an amicable settlement, but it failed, so I plan to file a complaint with the Bangbae Police Station in Seoul."
According to Dr. Jung, A was a researcher who worked with her during her tenure at Asan Medical Center in Seoul. After resigning from the hospital in June last year, Dr. Jung notified A of the termination of the commissioned researcher contract. However, A continued to contact Dr. Jung, expressing concerns such as "I am worried that you will be ruined."
Subsequently, A reportedly appeared at Dr. Jung's wife's workplace, entered the shared entrance of Dr. Jung's residence, and repeatedly left letters and 3D-printed objects in front of the door. As a result, Dr. Jung filed a report against A for violating the Anti-Stalking Act on October 20. The police issued a temporary order prohibiting A from approaching Jung Heewon or her residence and requiring A to cease stalking crimes, effective until February 18, 2026.
However, A suddenly sent a certified letter, claiming infringement of intellectual property rights and moral rights, and demanded a correction of the stalking allegations, a 40% share of royalties from the book "Slow Aging Mindset," a change of publisher, payment of all profits from the past two years as settlement, and confidentiality regarding all related matters.
Dr. Jung said, "A claims to have coined the term 'slow aging' and to have significantly contributed to the book, insisting on a share of the profits," but asserted, "This is entirely untrue." She added, "Although we signed a co-authorship agreement last year, A's writing skills were insufficient for true co-authorship, so the contract was terminated this year."
Dr. Jung acknowledged that she had private interactions with A from March last year to June this year, but explained, "A repeatedly displayed obsessive and stalking behavior, including demanding that I divorce my wife and marry A. After disclosing these facts to my wife, we are now jointly pursuing legal action."
Dr. Jung stated, "I wanted to resolve this matter as smoothly as possible, but A's unreasonable extortion-demanding all income from the past two years as settlement-and threats to socially ruin me have gone too far. I will officially and transparently disclose all circumstances going forward."
Attorney Park Kitae of Hanjung Law Firm, legal representative for Dr. Jung, said, "A's actions-taking advantage of Dr. Jung Heewon's social standing, threatening to expose her private life, and attempting to strip her of her social status and honor for substantial financial gain-constitute a serious crime. We will respond strictly in accordance with the law."
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