The older brother and sister-in-law who embezzled broadcaster Park Su-hong's revenue pleaded for leniency in tears. It drew attention as it contrasted with Park Su-hong's daily life, who belatedly began to find happiness with his daughter.
On the 12th, the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 7 (Director General Lee Jae-kwon) held the appellate sentencing hearing for Park Su-hong's older brother, Mr. Park, and his sister-in-law, Ms. Lee, who were indicted on charges of violating the Act on Aggravated Punishment, etc. for Specific Economic Crimes (embezzlement).
Mr. Park was brought to trial in October 2022 on charges of embezzling about 6.17 billion won of company funds and Park Su-hong's personal funds while exclusively managing Park Su-hong from 2011 to 2021, about 10 years. Mr. Park's wife, Ms. Lee, was also not detained on suspicion of partial involvement. In the first trial, held in February last year, only Mr. Park's embezzlement of 2 billion won was recognized, and he was sentenced to two years in prison, while Ms. Lee was acquitted.
After both the prosecution and the Park couple appealed, the prosecution sought the same prison terms in the appeal as in the first trial, requesting seven years for Mr. Park and three years for Ms. Lee. Regarding this, the prosecution said the reason for its sentencing request was that Mr. Park repeatedly embezzled large sums over a long period but falsely claimed he used the money for Park Su-hong, concealing the destinations of the funds and preventing victim restitution. The prosecution added that the defendant's behavior was poor, blaming the victim despite the possibility of damaging the image of entertainer Park Su-hong.
The prosecution also explained the reason for its sentencing request regarding Ms. Lee, saying that despite repeatedly embezzling large sums with her husband, defendant Park, over a long period, she continued to make contradictory claims such as that she was merely an honorary employee and a housewife. The prosecution added that the defendant posted malicious comments about the victim Park Su-hong and committed additional harm, showing insufficient remorse.
In his final statement, Mr. Park reportedly appeared unrepentant, saying, "It does not feel right that I am being investigated and tried for years and criticized by the public for things I did for my family." He also wept as he said, "I know I must take all responsibility, but there are no siblings to care for our elderly parents. All our family members are going through things they cannot bear because of this case. I will never repeat the same path. I ask for leniency." His tearful plea for leniency drew further criticism.
Ms. Lee also pleaded, "For more than four years, our family has lived a life where daily life stopped. We were afraid even to watch the news. Above all, my heart breaks every time I see our children who are in pain but cannot show it outwardly, but we are family who love each other, so we try to be strength for one another and endure. For the rest of my life, let me care for the children as their mother."
Park Su-hong's legal representative demanded severe punishment, saying: Park Su-hong's 30 years of youth cultivated through his sweat and blood were denied by the defendants' criminal acts, and his ties with his parents and siblings were severed. He could only experience the ordinary happiness of marrying the person he loved and having a child after turning 50. Unless the defendants fully acknowledge their wrongdoing and sincerely apologize to Park Su-hong, they should be harshly punished.
On the same day, Park Su-hong and his wife recently shared a video of their daughter's first steps on social media after her first birthday. Park Su-hong's wife, Kim Da-ye, posted the video of their daughter Jae-yi's first steps with the caption, "Today she walked into Hyundai Department Store on her own feet. #ParkSu-hong #happyDa-hong #Jae-yi," and Park Su-hong shared it, showing an ordinary daily life with his wife and daughter. The ordinary life that might not have existed if the older brother and sister-in-law had not been accused of embezzlement formed a stronger contrast.
Separate from the embezzlement lawsuit, Ms. Lee was fined last December for spreading rumors that Park Su-hong was living with someone. She had sent messages in a mobile messenger chatroom saying, "Park Su-hong lived with a woman while appearing on broadcast," which contained false information. She is also accused of defamation regarding the embezzlement charges, saying, "Park Su-hong lied that my sister-in-law and brother embezzled." However, both Ms. Lee and the prosecution appealed the first trial's decision.
Attention is focused on the outcome of the ongoing lawsuit between Park Su-hong and his older brother and sister-in-law. The sentencing hearing for the embezzlement charges against Park Su-hong's older brother and sister-in-law is scheduled for Dec. 19.
[Photo] OSEN DB, SNS source.
[OSEN]