Shin Jeong-ah at a press event for her memoir "4001" in Seoul on March 22, 2011 / Korea Times file

Past recollections from Shin Jeong-ah, a former Dongguk University professor involved in a high-profile scandal, have resurfaced amid the investigations into President Yoon Suk Yeol over his declaration of martial law, media outlet edaily said Friday.

In 2007, Yoon, then a prosecutor at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's Central Investigation Department, participated in the investigation into Shin.

The case involved allegations that Shin had falsified her academic credentials to secure a position as the art director of the Gwangju Biennale. She was also embroiled in a scandal with then-senior presidential secretary Byun Yang-kyun.

Prosecutors investigated various issues, including the falsification of Shin's Yale doctorate, the extent of Byun's influence in securing support from government agencies and corporations and possible accomplices who aided Shin during her attempted escape.

Shin was later sentenced to one year and six months in prison and served her term at Yeongdeungpo Detention Center. In 2011, she published an autobiography titled “4001,” named after her inmate number, reflecting on her experiences.

In her book, Shin shared vivid memories of Yoon, who had led the investigation against her.

She wrote, “When I didn't give him the answers he wanted, his face turned red as he yelled, mocked and pointed fingers at me. He tried to drive a wedge (between me and Byun) by saying Byun exploited his power to use me. He even threatened that I'd rot in prison forever if I didn't cooperate. I was so scared that I wet myself (on the) chair.”

She added, “It was the first time in my life I had been scolded so severely. I completely lost my mind after taking painkillers for a headache.”

Shin further claimed, “He told me not to get too happy, as he'd bring me back in next time. After experiencing the investigation, I could understand why some people commit murder or suicide out of anger and shame.”

These allegations of coercive interrogation were raised again during Yoon's confirmation hearing in 2019 when he was appointed prosecutor general.

At the time, Yoon's team denied the allegations, saying, “There was no coercive investigation during the Shin Jeong-ah case. Like any other investigation, the process adhered to the law and principles.”

Yoon refuses to be questioned by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, arguing the agency lacks the legal authority to investigate him over his martial law declaration.

This article is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.