Seong Yu-ri's husband An Seong-hyun found not guilty in 'coin listing bribery' case, ruling finalized; his wife's past statement on "hoping the truth comes to light" revisited [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Professional golfer An Seong-hyun, who was indicted on charges of embezzling several billion won under the pretext of listing a cryptocurrency exchange, has been found not guilty in a final ruling.

The Second Division of the Supreme Court (presiding Justice Oh Kyung-mi) finalized the lower court's acquittal on the 12th in An Seong-hyun's appeal against charges including violation of the Act on Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Economic Crimes (fraud). The sentences for co-defendants were also finalized: former Bithumb Holdings CEO Lee Sang-jun received a two-year prison sentence with a three-year suspended sentence, and businessman Kang Jong-hyun received a one-year prison sentence with a two-year suspended sentence.

An Seong-hyun debuted as a professional golfer in 2005 and served as a coach for the South Korea national golf team's reserve squad from 2014 to 2018. In 2017, he married actress Seong Yu-ri, a former member of the girl group Fin.K.L., and the couple has twin daughters.

Following the Supreme Court's ruling on An Seong-hyun, attention is being refocused on Seong Yu-ri's past statements about her feelings. In January 2024, Seong Yu-ri expressed her sentiments through her social media (SNS) account, saying, "I earnestly pray that the truth will come to light regarding the unjust and difficult matters our family is going through."

Previously, An Seong-hyun and former CEO Lee were indicted in September to November 2021 on charges of receiving several billion won (breach of trust for reward) from businessman Kang Jong-hyun along with a request to list two so-called "kimchi coins" on Bithumb. Bithumb Holdings is the largest shareholder of Bithumb Korea, the operator of Bithumb.

The Prosecution Service determined that An Seong-hyun and former CEO Lee received 3 billion won in cash from Mr. Kang, as well as two luxury watches worth 400 million won and a high-end restaurant membership card worth 11.5 million won, from Song, an official at the coin issuing company, and applied charges including breach of trust for reward.

Additionally, it was investigated that former CEO Lee received approximately 44 million won worth of luxury goods, including a 3 billion won designer bag and high-end clothing, from Mr. Kang. An Seong-hyun also faced charges of separately swindling 2 billion won by deceiving Mr. Kang, claiming that "former CEO Lee is demanding the 2 billion won listing request fee quickly."

They were indicted without detention in September 2023, but in December of the following year, the first-instance court sentenced three people, excluding Song, to actual prison terms and all were detained in court. The first-instance court sentenced An Seong-hyun to four years and six months in prison, former CEO Lee to two years in prison with a forfeiture of 50.025 million won, and Mr. Kang to one year and six months in prison.

However, the second-instance court overturned the first-instance ruling, acquitting An Seong-hyun, while sentencing former CEO Lee to two years in prison with a three-year suspended sentence and a forfeiture of 11.525 million won, and Mr. Kang to one year in prison with a two-year suspended sentence. Song was acquitted, just as in the first instance.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original