Chung Tae-young, vice chairman of Hyundai Credit Card [Yonhap News Agency]
[BizCheck=Hong Hye-yeon] The family dispute between Hyundai Credit Card Vice Chairman Chung Tae-young and his sister, Chung Eun-mi, is raising eyebrows in the courtroom. During the appeals trial of a case in which Jung Tae-young accused his sister of aiding and abetting the forgery of an autograph, Jung Eun-mi pleaded with tears in her eyes, while Jung's defense lawyer argued strongly that her sister should be convicted.
The conflict between the two sisters is more than just a legal matter; it is a deeply emotional family feud and inheritance issue. The lawsuit stems from various family property disputes, including access to the accounting books of Seoul PMC (formerly Jongno Academy), inheritance of their parents' estate, and the handover of their parents' funeral guestbooks. The siblings have been battling it out in court for six years, during which Jung has accused his sister of obstruction of justice and aiding and abetting the forgery of an autograph.
◇Background of the case
The case dates back to 2020, when Eun-mi Chung applied for a change of use for a house in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and an architect arbitrarily created and submitted the seal of Vice Chairman Chung Tae-young without his consent. Prosecutors charged her with aiding and abetting the forgery of the signature. The core of the case is that the change of use was made without the approval of the co-owner of the house, Vice Chairman Jeong Tae-young, and in this process, the prosecution claims that Jeong Eun-mi was involved in the forgery of the signature.
In November of last year, the first trial court acquitted Chung of the charges. The trial court found that she did not intend to commit the crime. However, the prosecution disagreed and appealed.
◇The appellate trial and the prosecution's arguments
On October 24, 2024, during the final hearing at the Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 1-3, the prosecution argued that the first trial court's acquittal was wrong and stressed that the appellate court should have reached a different conclusion than the first trial court.
Chung Eun-mi's defense attorney strongly disputed this. “It is completely unacceptable for the prosecution to argue for guilt by invoking the wrong precedent,” he said, adding that ”Ms. Chung did not commit any legal violations.”
◇Ms. Chung's tearful appeal
At the sentencing hearing, Chung Eun-mi tearfully explained her side of the story. She said, “During my lifetime, my parents announced to my family that they would give me a house in Jongno-gu. My mother left a will stating that she would inherit the house to my younger brother and me, excluding my older brother (Vice Chairman Chung Tae-young).” She also said, ”My father left most of the property to my older brother, but I did not claim the inheritance.” However, Chung has filed an intestate claim against his mother's estate.
Intestate succession is a legal system that protects heirs from harming other family members' livelihoods when disposing of certain inherited property. “I want the court to take a deep look at what the essence of the case is,” said Chung, who complained of injustice for not receiving the property her mother left her. She claimed that Vice Chairman Chung Tae-young sparked the dispute with his emotional hatred for his sister and excessive demand for rights.
◇Tough stance on the part of Vice Chairman Chung Tae-young
The defense lawyer representing Vice Chairman Chung Tae-young's position also argued strongly. “Ms. Chung Eun-mi changed the use of the house without the consent of the shareholders and has not shown any remorse for it,” he said, ‘Ms. Chung Eun-mi is rationalizing her actions and blaming all the blame on her brother.’ ‘If she is acquitted in this case, the credibility of the public ledger may be damaged,’ he said, ”Ms. Chung Eun-mi must be convicted.”
In addition to the aiding and abetting autograph forgery case, Chung filed a lawsuit against her siblings for the return of a portion of their mother's inheritance, which she partially won. On October 10, the Civil Division 48 of the Seoul Central District Court ruled in part in favor of the plaintiffs in Chung's oil return claim against his sister and brother. The court ordered the younger brother to pay Jung 32 million won and the younger sister 110 million won.
In addition, the siblings' counterclaim against Chung Tae-young for ownership of a real estate property in Dongsung-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, was also partially successful, and Chung Tae-young was ordered to distribute a portion of the property to his siblings.
◇Appellate verdict and future outlook
The appellate sentencing of the case is scheduled for December 12th. Depending on what the court decides, the court battle between the Hyundai Card sisters will enter a new phase. If convicted on appeal, Chung Eun-mi will suffer a major legal setback. On the other hand, if she is acquitted, Chung Tae-young, the vice chairman of Hyundai Credit Card, will likely face difficulties in the inheritance dispute.
By Hye-yeon Hong hongyang0427@naver.com
저작권자 ⓒ 비즈체크, 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지