The prosecution sought prison terms of seven years and three years respectively for Park, the elder brother of Park Su-hong, and his wife Lee, who are accused of embezzlement.
On the 12th, the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 7 (Presiding Judge Lee Jae-kwon, Director General) held the closing hearing for Park, the elder brother of Park Su-hong, and his sister-in-law Lee, who were indicted for violating the Act on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (embezzlement).
On that day, the prosecution told the court, "Although Park repeatedly embezzled large amounts of money over a long period of time, he falsely claimed he used the funds for Park Su-hong, concealed how the funds were used and restitution has not been made," and pointed out, "The defendant's attitude is poor, blaming the victim despite the fact that the entertainer Park Su-hong's image could be damaged by the defendant's behavior," requesting that he be sentenced to seven years in prison.
The prosecution also sought three years in prison for Lee, saying, "Although she and her husband, defendant Park, repeatedly embezzled large amounts of money over a long period with her husband, she has made contradictory claims such as that she was only an honorary employee and a housewife," and added, "The defendant has even inflicted additional harm by posting malicious comments about the victim Park Su-hong, showing insufficient improvement."
In response, Park and Lee's lawyers appealed for leniency, saying, "While Park's embezzlement in the course of his duties cannot be denied, most of the funds were delivered to Park Su-hong, and the complainant's attachment of a provisional seizure delayed repayment, so please take these into consideration."
In his final statement, Park also said, "This happened because of my negligence, and I live with a repentant heart," and, choking up, said, "My family is going through things they cannot bear because of this case. I will never repeat the same path."
However, Park Su-hong's representative said, "Park Su-hong's 30 years of youth, cultivated through his blood and sweat, have been denied by the defendants' criminal acts, and his ties with his parents and siblings have been severed. He was only able to marry the person he loves and have children after turning 50," and demanded severe punishment, saying, "Unless the defendants fully admit their wrongdoings and sincerely apologize to Park Su-hong, impose the harshest penalties."
Earlier, Park was referred to trial in October 2022 on charges that, while overseeing Park Su-hong's management for about 10 years from 2011 to 2021, he embezzled company funds and about 6.17 billion won of his younger brother's personal funds. His sister-in-law Lee was also prosecuted without detention on charges of participating in some of the embezzlement. However, on Feb. 1 last year the first trial court recognized only the charge that Park embezzled 200 million won of company funds and sentenced Park to two years in prison and acquitted Lee. Both the prosecution and Park and his wife appealed, and in the appeal the prosecution again sought prison terms of seven years and three years as in the first trial.
Meanwhile, the sentencing hearing for the embezzlement charges against Park and his wife is scheduled to be held on Mar. 19.
[Photo] OSEN DB
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