Korean Actor Hwang Jung-eum Gets Suspended Term In $3 Million Crypto Case

South Korean actor Hwang Jung-eum received a two-year suspended prison sentence for embezzling approximately $3 million from her own agency to invest in cryptocurrency. The Jeju District Court showed leniency, allowing her to avoid jail time unless further offenses occur in the next four years, due to her full repayment of the embezzled funds and her status as a first-time offender. Hwang embezzled about 4.34 billion won ($3.1 million) in early 2022. Although prosecutors sought a harsher sentence, the judges considered her complete restitution when making their decision. Hwang expressed remorse during her hearing, explaining that her financial mismanagement stemmed from her attempts to handle personal and tax matters. The embezzled funds were primarily generated from her own entertainment income, reflecting the complexities of regulations regarding corporate ownership of cryptocurrency. This incident severely impacted her career, leading to her removal from television shows and loss of advertising contracts.

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