Prosecution Requests 10 Million Won Fine for Yang Hyun-suk in 'Overseas Gambling' Case

Yang Hyun-suk, former CEO and producer of YG Entertainment, who is accused of overseas illegal gambling, is attending the second trial held at the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 28th and is listening to questions from the press.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong, Intern Reporter Geunhwi Jeon] The prosecution has requested a fine for Yang Hyun-suk (50), former CEO and producer of YG Entertainment, who was indicted on charges of overseas gambling.

At the second trial held on the 28th under the presiding of Judge Park Soo-hyun of the Criminal Division 9 at the Seoul Western District Court, the prosecution asked the court to sentence former CEO Yang to a fine of 10 million won for gambling charges. For the same charges, the prosecution requested fines of 10 million won each for Kim (37) and Lee (41), co-CEOs of YGX, a YG subsidiary, and a fine of 7 million won for Geum (48).

Former CEO Yang and others are accused of habitual gambling from 2015 to last year. They were indicted for gambling baccarat, blackjack, and other games with stakes worth about 400 million won over 20 times at casinos in Las Vegas, USA.

The prosecution explained, "Initially, the police applied habitual gambling charges to former CEO Yang and others and forwarded the case with a prosecution opinion, but habitual gambling charges were dismissed, and they were indicted only for simple gambling charges. There is no reason to change the indictment."

Yang’s defense attorney argued, "The defendants did not go to Las Vegas to gamble or earn money but visited for work related to their artists’ entry into the US market and company workshops, and only played games during leisure time to relieve stress." The defense also explained that the actual amount gambled by the defendants at Las Vegas casinos was about $1,000 to $2,000 per person.

In his final statement, former CEO Yang said, "I apologize for causing concern due to my negligence," and added, "I am sincerely and seriously reflecting on this and will make sure not to repeat the same mistake."

The sentencing for former CEO Yang and others will be held on the morning of the 27th of next month.

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