Police begin investigation into report of illegal officetel business
An investigation into references to allegations of preferential employment is also planned… Controversy spreads
Police are investigating suspicions that former President Moon Jae-in’s daughter, Moon Da-hye (41), has been running an illegal lodging business in Jeju and Seoul. Seoul Yeongdeungpo Police Station began a pre-booking investigation (internal investigation) after receiving a tip that the officetel owned by Mr. Moon had been conducting illegal business, even issuing guidelines such as “call it your cousin’s house.” Mr. Moon, who was recently investigated by the police for drunk driving, is suspected of running an undeclared lodging business at a house in Jeju.
◆ Yeongdeungpo officetel ‘scam business’ suspicion
According to the police on the 26th, circumstances were discovered that Mr. Moon was operating an officetel in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul as an illegal lodging business. Under the current Public Health Act, in order to operate an officetel as a shared lodging business, it must be equipped with facilities and equipment and be reported to the district office, but it was found that Mr. Moon did not follow these procedures.
Former President Moon Jae-in’s daughter, Moon Da-hye, who was booked on suspicion of drunk driving, is leaving the building after completing an investigation held at Yongsan Police Station in Seoul on the 18th. Newsis
Yeongdeungpo Police Station received an investigation request from the district office on the 24th and began an internal investigation into Mr. Moon’s alleged violation of the Public Health Act. If the charges are proven, you can be sentenced to up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won.
Previously, the district office attempted to inspect the officetel near Yeongdeungpo Station around 4 p.m. on the 22nd, but was unable to confirm whether it was a lodging business because the door was locked. Accordingly, an investigation was requested to the police the next day. The officetel in question was purchased by Mr. Moon on June 23, 2021 and is currently registered as sole ownership.
Circumstances were revealed that business continued until the day before the district office inspection. According to a Channel A report, the reservation notice that guests received even included instructions that “if anyone asks, tell them you are at your cousin’s house.” This is because suspicions have grown that Mr. Moon tried to cover up the fact that he was operating an illegal lodging business.
◆ Illegal business detected in Jeju residential area
In Jeju, more specific sales circumstances were captured. Mr. Moon purchased a single-family home near Hyeopjae Beach in Hallim-eup, Jeju-si for 380 million won in July 2022. In August, a month after the purchase, a promotional post was posted on the social networking service (SNS) account introducing this house, saying, “Jeju Private Pension Opening on August 8th!” The account shared a photo of the ocean view, saying, “The ocean view from the accommodation deck,” and even included a link to a sharing platform where lodging reservations can be made.
There were also actual user reviews. In June of last year, a blog post said, “For the first time, I found accommodation at an Airbnb located in front of the sea in Hyeopjae,” along with a photo of guests appearing at the front door of Mr. Moon’s single-family home. This house was not even registered as a rural bed and breakfast business.
The Jeju Autonomous Police received an investigation request from Jeju City early last month and visited the site twice, but were unable to confirm it because the door was locked. Park Ki-nam, head of the Jeju Autonomous Police, said at the Jeju Island government audit on the 23rd, “We have been in contact with Mr. Moon twice recently, and we are coordinating the investigation schedule with Mr. Moon’s lawyer.”
A single-family home owned by former President Moon Jae-in’s daughter, Moon Da-hye (41), located in Hyeopjae-ri, Hallim-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do. News 1
◆ Caught drunk driving…settled with taxi driver
Previously, Mr. Moon caused a drunk driving accident in the early morning of the 5th in front of the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu. While changing lanes, he collided with a taxi that was following him, and his blood alcohol content at the time was 0.149%, which was far above the license revocation level (0.08% or higher).
The victim taxi driver suffered minor injuries, including complaining of neck pain, but did not submit an injury medical certificate after reaching an agreement with Mr. Moon. Accordingly, the possibility of being punished only for drunk driving instead of charges of drunk driving causing injury under the Special Act on Traffic Accidents or dangerous driving causing injury under the Aggravated Punishment for Specific Crimes Act has increased.
During a police investigation on the 18th, Mr. Moon said, “I made a big mistake that I should not have made,” and “I am ashamed and sorry.” He issued a statement saying, “I will reflect on my life so that something like this never happens again.” The police plan to complete the investigation soon and forward the case to the prosecution.
◆ Continued investigation… Suspicion of preferential hiring
Meanwhile, Ms. Moon is scheduled to be investigated by the prosecution in the near future regarding her ex-husband’s suspicion of ‘preferential employment at Thai Star Jet’. The Jeonju Prosecutor’s Office recently notified Mr. Moon to appear as a witness.
The prosecution said that the fact that Moon’s ex-husband Seo (44), who had no experience in the aviation industry, was hired as a senior executive at Thai Star Jet in July 2018 and that Moon’s family moved to Thailand was related to the appointment of former lawmaker Lee Sang-jik as chairman of the Small and Medium Venture Business Corporation. We are investigating whether it exists. An investigation is underway as the monthly salary of 8 million won, which Mr. Seo received while working until April 2020, and the 230 million won, including moving and housing expenses to Thailand, are considered bribes.
Reporter Lee Ye-rim yeah@segye.com
(ⓒ Segye Ilbo & Segye.com, unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited)
Source: www.segye.com
