A Seoul court has upheld the conviction of former Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office chief Lee Jeon in a case involving the transfer of property title for the late former President Jeon Doo-hwan’s Yeonhui-dong residence from his wife, Lee Soon-ja, to Jeon himself.
Background of the Investigation
Lee Jeon faces charges related to refunding bail money posted by Lee Soon-ja amid probes into Jeon Doo-hwan’s secret funds. Prosecutors determined that the title transfer was an attempt to shield assets from seizure in the ongoing secret funds investigation.
In October 2021, Lee authorized the bail refund after the residence title shifted to Jeon Doo-hwan’s name. Officials noted this move obstructed direct asset seizure efforts ordered in the first-instance ruling for the secret funds case.
Appeal Court Ruling
On April 3, the appellate court dismissed Lee Jeon’s challenge, confirming the lower court’s decision. Despite arguments that the refund aligned with procedural norms post-title change, judges ruled it improperly evaded confiscation obligations.
One appellate judge in February 2024 explicitly stated the bail adjustment stemmed from Jeon Doo-hwan’s death, yet deemed it lacking legal basis for a prosecutor’s discretionary judgment.
Multiple Guilty Verdicts
Sources confirm Lee Jeon has now been found guilty across four proceedings. The prosecution initially targeted the case despite prior fact-finding from historical records, and higher courts echoed this assessment.
The ruling underscores accountability in handling high-profile cases tied to former leaders, ensuring bail and asset procedures adhere strictly to legal standards.
