Prosecutors have requested police to look again into Olympic fencing medalist Nam Hyun-hee on suspicions of being an accomplice in frauds by her former fiance, officials said Friday.
The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors Office made the request recently after police cleared Nam of the suspicions in early March, deciding not to refer her to the prosecution for potential indictment.
Nam, the silver medalist in women’s foil at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, came under public scrutiny after her former fiance, Jeon Cheong-jo, was charged and sentenced to a 12-year prison term for swindling about 3 billion won (US$2.25 million) from 27 people under the pretext of investment between 2022 and 2023.
Nam broke up with the fiance after Jeon was found to be legally a woman with multiple fraud records.
Fraud victims have filed a complaint against Nam on suspected complicity in the frauds, but the fencer claimed her innocence.
The investigation request by prosecutors was made as the victims filed an objection again agai
nst the police decision clearing Nam of suspicions.
By law, prosecutors can make a reinvestigation request with the police in the case they determine a police decision not to refer a suspect to the prosecution to be illegal or unfair.
With the latest request, the case will be reopened by the police for reinvestigation.
Source: Yonhap News Agency