Fencer Nam Hyun-hee Cleared of Complicity in Ex-Lover Jeon Cheong-jo's Fraud Case

Former national fencing athlete and broadcaster Nam Hyun-hee has been cleared of allegations of being an accomplice in the fraud case involving her former lover, Jeon Cheong-jo. This decision comes approximately two years after the incident.

Nam's legal representative, lawyer Son Soo-ho, announced the victory on his social media on the 13th, under the title 'Nam Hyun-hee Fencing Coach Jeon Cheong-jo Case Civil Damages Lawsuit - Full Victory'. Lawyer Son stated, "In the 1.1 billion won civil damages lawsuit filed by a plaintiff, who was defrauded by Jeon Cheong-jo, against coach Nam Hyun-hee, coach Nam achieved a complete victory. We did our utmost to prove coach Nam's innocence over the past year and ten months."

He further explained, "The plaintiff claimed Nam Hyun-hee was an accomplice to Jeon Cheong-jo, but the court did not recognize this. The court ruled that Nam Hyun-hee, like the plaintiff, was unaware of Jeon Cheong-jo's true nature." Lawyer Son added, "The Jeon Cheong-jo case has already been widely reported and garnered significant public attention, making it necessary to inform the public of the trial's outcome. We sincerely hope there will be no further misunderstandings or speculation."

Previously, plaintiff A, a parent of students at the fencing academy operated by Nam Hyun-hee, alleged that they suffered 1.1 billion won in damages after being deceived by Jeon's claims of high monthly returns and guaranteed principal repayment within a year for investments in unlisted stocks. Plaintiff A then filed a civil lawsuit, asserting Nam Hyun-hee's involvement in the crime. However, in its ruling on the 12th, the court dismissed the plaintiff's claims, stating, "It appears Nam Hyun-hee was also deceived by Jeon Cheong-jo's lies and believed Jeon was a genuine third-generation chaebol. There is no evidence that the defendant intentionally aided in the fraud."

Following this case, Nam Hyun-hee was expelled from the Seoul Fencing Association in June of last year and received a seven-year suspension of her coaching license from the Seoul Sports Council's Sports Ethics Committee in August.

Meanwhile, Jeon Cheong-jo, who allegedly committed fraud by posing as an illegitimate child of a chaebol family, was sentenced to 13 years in prison last November on charges including fraud under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Economic Crimes.

Nam Hyun-hee gained recognition after winning a silver medal in the women's foil individual event and a gold medal in the team event at the 2006 Doha Asian Games. She also reached the quarterfinals in the women's foil individual event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, showcasing an impressive athletic career. After retiring, she dedicated herself to nurturing future talent as a fencing coach.