Police pursue arrest warrant for fraudulent ex-lover of Olympian Nam Hyun-hee

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Police pursue arrest warrant for fraudulent ex-lover of Olympian Nam Hyun-hee

Published: 31 Oct. 2023, 14:59 Updated: 01 Nov. 2023, 00:24

Photo of Jeon Cheong-jo, former fiance to Olympian Nam Hyun-hee provided by Gangseo District Office councilman Kim Min-seok. [KIM MIN-SEOK]

Songpa police are seeking an arrest warrant against Jeon Cheong-jo on charges of fraud and attempted fraud.

The 27-year-old Jeon was previously engaged to Nam Hyun-hee, a 42-year-old Olympian and medalist.

Jeon also falsely presented herself as the heir to a hotel and casino mogul and had prior convictions for fraud, for which she served more than two years in prison.

According to the police, the arrest warrant request was made on Monday. The action follows a statement by National Police Chief Yoon Hee-keun, in which he pledged a serious investigation into the matter.

The Songpa police are spearheading the inquiry into the fraud allegations against Jeon.

Among the accusations against Jeon are allegations of defrauding a victim of 110 million won (over $80,000) in a fake business investment scheme in China, as well as taking 20 million won from another individual for an app development investment in August.

Additionally, she is accused of attempting to coerce a victim into taking out a loan after accessing their financial records through a finance app, including credit scores.

Gangseo District Councilman Kim Min-seok has also petitioned the police to investigate the Olympian as an accomplice.

Kim reported Chun to the police on behalf of one of her fraud victims.

On Facebook on Tuesday, Kim demanded that Nam sell all the luxury goods, including a high-end vehicle, reportedly received as gifts from Jeon and use the proceeds to compensate the victims.

He rhetorically asked whether the Olympian's intention to sue Jeon was solely to retain the luxury items acquired through fraud.

Earlier this year, Nam had posted on her Instagram account pictures of luxury items supposedly gifted by Jeon, including a Bentley Bentayga worth over 300 million won, and a Christian Dior bag valued at 8 million won.

In an earlier post, the councilman claimed many victims were struggling because the money they provided to Chun was borrowed from non-banking financial institutions at high interest.

Jeon is also currently under police investigation for stalking the Olympian and for assaulting Nam's middle school nephew, allegedly using golf clubs.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]