$500K seized from S. Korean dictator came from actress daughter-in-law’s funding for U.S. investor visa

September 5, 2014
Chun Jae-yong, left, and Park Sang-ah.

Chun Jae-yong, left, and Park Sang-ah.

The $500,000 taken from former South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan’s family by the U.S. government Wednesday was funding for a U.S. investor visa to be obtained by Chun’s daughter-in-law, the U.S. Justice Department revealed Thursday.

The money was invested into the Pennsylvania Convention Center in April 2009 by Park Sang-ah, Chun’s daughter-in-law, seeking an EB-5 visa.

The EB-5 visa, also known as an investor visa, grants green cards to foreigners who invest at least $500,000 into American projects. Overseen by U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, the visa is given if the funding creates at least 10 new jobs in America.

Since 2009, the center has gathered 200 foreign investors to each invest $500,000.

Park is the wife of Chun’s second son Chun Jae-yong, who received a three-year prison sentence in February for a $2.4 million tax evasion.