MB Brother-in-law's Wife Confirmed with Suspended Sentence for Embezzlement and Tax Evasion of 5 Billion Won

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] The suspended sentence was confirmed for Kwon Young-mi, the wife of former President Lee Myung-bak's brother-in-law, who was prosecuted on charges of embezzlement and tax evasion involving 5 billion won.

On the 23rd, the Supreme Court's 3rd Division (Presiding Justice Noh Tae-ak) announced that it upheld the original ruling that found Kwon guilty in the final appeal trial on charges including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (tax-related offenses).

Kwon is the wife of the late Kim Jae-jung, former President Lee's brother-in-law. Kim managed former President Lee's assets. Kwon was charged with embezzling approximately 5.6 billion won in company funds and evading corporate taxes from Geumgang, an affiliate of DAS, an automobile parts company known to be owned by former President Lee, and Hong Eun Planning, a DAS subsidiary.

It was investigated that Kwon was listed only nominally as an auditor at Geumgang and as CEO at Hong Eun Planning, receiving salaries and misusing company corporate cards. Geumgang was also prosecuted for violating the Tax Offense Punishment Act.

The prosecution indicted Kwon based on the 2018 investigation results into former President Lee Myung-bak and reports from the National Tax Service.

The first trial mostly recognized the charges that Kwon falsely registered as auditor of Geumgang and CEO of Hong Eun Planning to receive company money, sentencing her to three years in prison with a five-year suspended sentence and a fine of 80 million won. The second trial also dismissed both Kwon's and the prosecution's appeals, stating "there is no error in the first trial's judgment and the conclusion should be maintained." The Supreme Court also rejected all appeals.

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