SEOUL — Former national fencer Nam Hyun-hee (43) has been officially exonerated from any involvement in the elaborate fraud scheme orchestrated by her ex-fiancé, Jeon Cheong-jo (28). The legal victory brings an end to a nearly two-year ordeal that saw Nam accused of being an accomplice in a case that captivated and shocked the nation.
On September 13, Law Firm Jihyuk, representing Nam, announced on social media that a civil lawsuit seeking ₩1.1 billion in damages against Nam had been dismissed. The lawsuit was filed by "A," a parent from Nam's fencing academy who lost a staggering ₩1.1 billion after being convinced by Jeon to invest in non-listed stocks. A, like many others, was promised unrealistic returns, including a monthly income of ₩5 million and a tenfold or even twentyfold profit after the company's IPO.
The Suwon District Court, Seongnam Branch, ruled in Nam's favor on September 12, concluding that there was no evidence of her deliberate involvement in the fraud. The court stated, "The defendant (Nam Hyun-hee) was, like the plaintiff, unaware of Jeon Cheong-jo's true identity. There is no evidence that the defendant intentionally aided and abetted the fraud." This ruling supports Nam's long-held claim that she too was a victim of Jeon's elaborate deception.
The case gained national notoriety in late 2023 when Nam announced her engagement to Jeon, who claimed to be the illegitimate son of a powerful conglomerate chairman. Shortly after, news reports revealed Jeon was in fact a woman with a criminal history of fraud. Jeon was later sentenced to 13 years in prison for defrauding 27 victims of more than ₩3 billion.
While Nam has been cleared of legal wrongdoing, the scandal has had severe consequences on her life and career. She was expelled from the Seoul Fencing Association in June 2024 and received a seven-year coaching suspension from the Seoul Sports Council, effective until August 21, 2031. This civil victory, however, offers a chance for Nam to begin rebuilding her life after the immense personal and professional damage she endured. The outcome of the lawsuit highlights the public's fascination with the case and the importance of addressing misinformation and speculation.
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