Prosecutors Clear "Slow Aging" Expert Heewon Jung of Stalking... Suspension of Indictment for Countersuing Woman

Prosecutors Conclude With No Indictment

Dr. Heewon Jung, an expert on "slow aging," has been cleared of stalking allegations involving a female researcher. Prosecutors have also decided not to indict the woman who filed a countersuit against Dr. Jung.

Professor Heewon Jung, Department of Geriatrics at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, delivered a keynote speech on the topic "Slowly Aging Brain" at the "Good Brain 2023 Conference" hosted by The Asia Business Daily on the 20th at the Orchid Room of the Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

According to the legal community on April 1, the 2nd Division for Crimes Against Women and Children at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (headed by Prosecutor Park Jina) concluded on March 30 that Dr. Jung was not guilty of violating the Stalking Punishment Act.

Dr. Jung had been accused of repeatedly contacting Ms. A, who had worked as a commissioned researcher at the institute, and calling her father, even after telling Ms. A to "talk to the lawyer."

It is reported that the prosecution concluded Dr. Jung's actions did not constitute stalking, considering the circumstances, timing, frequency, and content of the mobile messages sent to Ms. A. The fact that Dr. Jung knew Ms. A's father through a doctor-patient relationship was also taken into account.

The prosecution also granted a suspension of indictment for Ms. A regarding her alleged violations of the Stalking Punishment Act and unlawful trespassing. Suspension of indictment means the alleged facts are recognized, but the prosecutor decides not to bring the case to trial after considering the circumstances and consequences of the offense. Factors considered included that Ms. A had no prior record of stalking and that Dr. Jung did not wish to pursue punishment.

Previously, in December last year, Dr. Jung sued Ms. A, claiming to have been stalked over a six-month period. In response, Ms. A filed a countersuit against Dr. Jung for alleged forcible molestation and other charges.

However, both parties eventually withdrew their complaints and submitted statements indicating they did not wish to seek punishment.

The police, who investigated the case, referred only the alleged violations of the Stalking Punishment Act involving Dr. Jung and Ms. A to the prosecution, and did not forward the allegations of forcible molestation against Dr. Jung.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.