“Pay back some of the money you borrowed”: Man in his 40s visits partner who broke up with him, only to be reported for “stalking” [The Law in Cases Like This]

[Financial News] A story has emerged about a man in his 40s who lent his partner tens of millions of won and was unable to get it back, only to be booked on suspicion of stalking and questioned by police.
On the 14th, JTBC’s “Scandal Supervisor” featured the story of a man in his 40s, identified only as A.
According to A, while he was living alone and caring for his mother, he met B, a woman around his age who owned a restaurant near the hospital. A bonded with B, who had also cared for a family member, and their relationship developed into a romance. The two reportedly promised to spend the rest of their lives together.
B later asked A for financial help when the effects of COVID-19 made it difficult to run her restaurant, saying, “I’ll pay you back when business picks up.” A reportedly trusted her as someone who would become family and lent her money totaling several tens of millions of won whenever she asked.
When his mother’s condition worsened and her care costs rose, A reportedly told B that it would be difficult to lend her any more money. According to A, B was hurt and asked, “What about my business?” before suddenly telling him they were breaking up, saying their personalities were incompatible.
B had promised to repay the borrowed money once she started earning money, but reportedly changed her tune a year later, asking, “Are you threatening me?” and telling him not to contact her again.
A eventually consulted a legal professional and filed a civil suit, but lost at the first trial because he could not prove that he had lent B the money. He then asked about other options and, after being advised to “go to the other party and try to work things out,” went to see B to get his money back. B then reported him to the police, and A was booked on suspicion of stalking in the process.
B had reportedly sought advice from police a week earlier, saying that her ex-boyfriend was contacting her to ask to borrow money. Unaware of this, A went to see B. His earlier text messages and visits to her restaurant also became an issue, and he was reportedly booked on suspicion of stalking and questioned by police.
B reportedly demanded 3 million won from A as a settlement in exchange for withdrawing her complaint. A has not gotten his money back and is instead in the position of having to pay a settlement, but is hesitant to agree after being told he could still be punished even if the report is withdrawn. He also reportedly gave up appealing after losing the civil suit and became liable for the other party’s legal costs.
Lawyer Son Su-ho, commenting on the case, advised, “Even if you consult a legal professional and take action, it is up to you to decide what to trust and how to act.” He added, “Even a professional can be challenged if they cause harm by giving advice outside their area of expertise or scope of qualifications. You should also look into whether they were paid for the advice, among other things.”
Lawyer Park Ji-hoon stressed, “It is necessary to seek help from a professional,” adding, “Even if you pursue a settlement, you should make sure to preserve clear evidence.”
[email protected] Kim Su-yeon Reporter