A man in his 70s has been sentenced to prison after deceiving local authorities by falsely claiming to be a world-renowned sculptor with prestigious credentials. He installed sculptures in various regions of South Korea, including Cheongdo in North Gyeongsang Province and Hauido Island in South Jeolla Province, while pocketing around 2.2 billion won (approximately $1.5 million).
On Thursday, Judge Eo Jae Won presided over the Daegu District Court’s Criminal Division 12 and sentenced Choi to two years and six months in prison with a four-year probation period. In addition to his prison sentence, Choi was ordered to complete 120 hours of community service.
According to officials from Cheongdo County, Choi misled local authorities in 2022 by claiming he was a world-renowned sculptor who had graduated from Paris Diderot University and taught abroad. He installed 20 sculptures in the area and was paid 290 million won (around $202,330) for his work.
Further investigations revealed that Choi’s credentials were entirely fabricated. He had never attended Paris Diderot University or worked as a professor abroad. Choi had not even completed elementary school. His work history was limited to working in metal and woodworking shops. Additionally, he had a previous criminal record for fraud.
It was also discovered that the sculptures Choi installed in Cheongdo were counterfeit items imported from China.
This wasn’t Choi’s first fraudulent scheme. In 2018, he approached Sinan County with a similar scam, installing 318 sculptures, including angel statues, and embezzling 1.9 billion won (around $1.3 million). Choi reportedly pitched the idea of transforming Hauido Island—the birthplace of a former Nobel Prize-winning president—into an Island of Angels.
Surprised by the idea, Sinan County officials entrusted Choi with overseeing the entire art installation project for Hauido Island. However, it was later revealed that most of the sculptures, including a 300 million won ($209,345) angel statue, were mass-produced in China.
In its ruling, the court noted the audacity of Choi’s actions, highlighting how he boldly misrepresented his credentials to the Cheongdo County mayor and other officials.
However, the court acquitted Choi of fraud charges related to the Sinan County case, concluding that his false claims about his background did not significantly impact the execution of the contract.
Reports have also revealed that Choi’s fraudulent sculptures were installed at major Catholic sites across South Korea, including the Daecheong-dong Cathedral in Seoul’s Gangnam district and the tomb of Father Kim Tae Gon.
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