‘Embezzlement of Appearance Fees’ Park Soo-hong's Older Brother, 3 Years and 6 Months Imprisonment Confirmed by Supreme Court

Park Soo-hong's older brother, Mr. Park, who was indicted for embezzling tens of billions of won from the appearance fees of broadcaster Park Soo-hong, has had his 3 years and 6 months imprisonment confirmed. The Supreme Court maintained the sentence, stating that there was no legal misunderstanding in the original judgment.

Park Soo-hong's older brother, Mr. Park, who was indicted for embezzling tens of billions of won from the appearance fees of broadcaster Park Soo-hong, has had his 3 years and 6 months imprisonment confirmed. The Supreme Court maintained the sentence, stating that there was no legal misunderstanding in the original judgment.

On the morning of the 26th, the Supreme Court's 1st Division held a sentencing date for the appeal of Park Soo-hong's older brother, Mr. Park, and sister-in-law, Ms. Lee, who are charged with violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (embezzlement), and confirmed the original judgment. Accordingly, Mr. Park received a sentence of 3 years and 6 months, while sister-in-law Ms. Lee received 1 year and 6 months in prison with 2 years probation.

Mr. Park and his wife were indicted in October 2022 for embezzling Park Soo-hong's appearance fees while operating two entertainment agencies, Rael and Media Boom, for about 10 years from 2011 to 2021. Initially, the prosecution stated the embezzled amount was approximately 6.17 billion won, but during the first trial, the amount was changed to about 4.8 billion won after excluding duplicate entries.

In the previous trial process, the sentencing judgments of the first and second trials showed differences. The first trial court only recognized Mr. Park guilty of embezzling 2 billion won of company funds and sentenced him to 2 years in prison, while Ms. Lee was acquitted due to a lack of direct evidence to prove collusion.

However, the appellate court's judgment was different. The second trial sentenced Mr. Park to a heavier sentence of 3 years and 6 months than the first trial and ordered his detention. Additionally, some embezzlement charges against Ms. Lee, who was acquitted in the first trial, were recognized as guilty, and a suspended sentence was imposed.

At that time, the second trial court explained the reasons for sentencing, stating, "The actual damage to the victim company has not been restored due to Mr. Park's crimes, and the victim, Mr. Park Soo-hong, is petitioning for severe punishment against the defendant." In particular, "The method of the crime is very poor, and this is reflected as a special aggravating factor", emphasizing the need for severe punishment.

The Supreme Court also deemed this original judgment to be just. The Supreme Court dismissed both the defendants' and the prosecution's appeals, ultimately concluding the guilty verdict for embezzlement against Park Soo-hong's older brother and his wife.