Court Suspends Prison Sentence for 80-Year-Old Mother Who Withdrew 500 Million Won from Deceased Son's Account

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] An octogenarian woman who was indicted for withdrawing more than 500 million won from her son's account immediately after her son in his 40s, who had been suffering from a chronic illness, passed away, was sentenced to imprisonment with a suspended sentence.

The Criminal Division 11 of Suwon District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Mi-kyung) on the 20th sentenced A (83), who was indicted on charges of forgery of private documents, use of forged private documents, and fraud under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year suspension.

It was investigated that on August 8, 2018, at 9:27 a.m., A, accompanied by her daughter, visited a bank in Gyeonggi Province, forged a deposit transaction application form in the name of her deceased son B (then 42), submitted it to a bank employee, and transferred 445 million won to her daughter's account. This was only 8 hours after her son's death.

A is also accused of withdrawing money afterward, embezzling a total of about 548 million won in six transactions by August 28 of the same month.

The prosecution judged that A deceived the bank by fabricating documents as if her deceased son was still alive to withdraw money. It was seen as an attempt by A to embezzle the inheritance that should have gone to her elementary school-aged daughter, the heir, following B's death.

The case proceeded as a citizen trial at A's request. As a result, all seven jurors delivered a guilty verdict.

Sentencing opinions were as follows: four jurors recommended 1 year and 6 months imprisonment, one recommended 1 year and 6 months imprisonment with a 3-year suspension, one recommended 2 years imprisonment, and one recommended 2 years and 6 months imprisonment.

The court pointed out, "Even though the defendant was the mother managing her deceased son's assets, hiding the fact of her son's death and withdrawing deposits cannot be regarded as an act permissible in light of the spirit of the entire legal order, ethics, and social norms."

It added, "The amount of damage in this case exceeds 500 million won, and the bank has not been compensated for the damage," and explained the sentencing rationale by stating, "It is difficult to see that the defendant gained substantial benefits by repaying her son's debts, and considering the possibility of compensation through civil litigation later."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.