While singer Jang Yoon Jeong recently shared her emotional distress through a YouTube video, it has been belatedly revealed that her mother, surnamed Yook, who had been under investigation for investment fraud, was arrested and referred to the prosecution.

The Seoul Songpa Police Station stated on July 21 that Yook, who faces fraud charges, was recently referred to the prosecution while in custody. Yook is accused of receiving tens of millions of won from an acquaintance under the pretext of investing in a program featuring Jang Yoon Jeong, and failing to return the promised principal and profits.

This case was first brought to light last month through the JTBC program "Crime Chief." The informant, identified as A, claimed to have become acquainted with Yook at a sauna about two years ago. A alleged that Yook gained their trust by claiming, "I have reconciled with Jang Yoon Jeong and we are on good terms," and by showing what appeared to be messenger conversations between her and the singer. Yook subsequently received 30 million won under the guise of an investment related to "Mr. Trot," but failed to return the money, leading to a fraud complaint filed against her in April.

At the time, Yook’s whereabouts were unknown as there were no signs of daily activity, such as mobile phone or credit card usage, and the police had temporarily suspended the investigation while tracking her. Yook was eventually apprehended by police, arrested, and recently referred to the prosecution.

Immediately after the case became public, rumors of Yook's death circulated after she sent a message to a reporter hinting at financial hardship and self-harm before cutting off contact.

Jang Yoon Jeong cut ties with her mother in 2013 following a conflict over the management of her finances. Her mother subsequently filed a lawsuit against her daughter but lost, and the two have reportedly remained estranged for over a decade. In 2018, Yook was sentenced to prison for fraud after failing to repay hundreds of millions of won borrowed from an acquaintance, and it was reported at the time that she was released on parole for treatment of terminal liver cancer.

As news of her mother's fraud allegations and disappearance continued to emerge, Jang Yoon Jeong hinted that she has been going through a difficult time. In a video released on July 16 on her YouTube channel, "Jang Gong Jang Jang Yoon Jeong," the singer visited a restaurant run by a junior colleague she met through her work. Through on-screen captions, she wrote, "You were wondering how I’ve been, right? I’ve been getting by somehow. I have so much I want to say. I think I’ll have to turn it into a song," before eventually breaking down in tears, unable to continue speaking.



Reported by Kang Kyung-yoon | Produced by SBS Entertainment News