Prosecutors have requested a South Korean court docket to ship the actress and former singer Hwang Jung-eum to jail for 3 years for embezzling firm funds to spend on crypto.
Hwang has admitted to utilizing 4.3 billion gained ($3.1 million) value of funds belonging to her leisure company to purchase cryptoassets in 2022.
Hwang Jung-eum: Crypto Expenses
Prosecutors declare that the star additionally took out an 800 million gained ($571,866) mortgage in July 2022 underneath the identical firm’s identify.
They advised a department of the Jeju District Court docket that Hwang then despatched most of those funds to her private checking account, after which used this cash to purchase crypto.
Prosecutors introduced proof that she revamped a dozen comparable transactions in 2022, repeatedly utilizing firm cash to purchase cash.
In addition they accused Hwang of utilizing firm funds to pay her payments, together with property levies and native taxes.
Her defence staff requested the court docket for leniency, claiming that she had since offered her belongings to pay the corporate again.
The court docket is ready to reconvene in late September for sentencing.
Hwang shot to fame within the late 2000s when she appeared within the hit MBC sitcom Excessive Kick By way of The Roof.
She has additionally appeared in more moderen hit dramas, comparable to Kill Me, Heal Me (2015) and The Escape of the Seven (2023–2024).
Actor Hwang Jung-eum admitted to taking 4.3 billion gained ($3 million) in firm funds from her family-owned company, a majority of which she invested in cryptocurrency, whereas testifying in a trial on Thursday, News1 reported.https://t.co/4SA66LKBeh
— The Korea JoongAng Each day (@JoongAngDaily) Might 15, 2025
Defence Workforce Asks for Court docket’s Clemency
The South Korean newspaper The Hankyoreh reported that Hwang’s authorized staff advised the court docket that she had offered actual property holdings to assist her repay her money owed.
The staff submitted authorized paperwork to the court docket to assist show the veracity of those claims.
Hwang additionally claimed that she had made crypto purchases “with the encouragement of individuals round me in hopes of rising the corporate.”
Actress Hwang Jung-eum on trial for embezzling $31 million for crypto investmenthttps://t.co/FssMALivqB
— The Korea Occasions (@koreatimescokr) Might 16, 2025
She admitted that she had proven “poor judgment” within the matter. Hwang apologized and mentioned she had had “mirrored” on her actions.”
Hwang’s protection staff additionally requested the court docket to think about the truth that the corporate is query was a one-person company. A lawyer advised the court docket:
“The defendant created the corporate to handle her personal leisure trade actions. She owns 100% of the shares, and no different entertainers are affiliated with it.”
The lawyer added that Hwang had proven “immaturity.” However the legal professional mentioned the actress was “deeply reflecting” on the character of her wrongdoings.
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