"Song Ga-in's Performance Director..." Producer with Over 100 Million Won Investment Fails to Repay, Receives Suspended Sentence

[Image source=Pixabay]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] A performance producer who was on trial for failing to repay 160 million won borrowed under the pretext of investment funds, claiming "there is not enough money to direct singer Song Gain's performance," was sentenced to probation in the first trial.

On the 22nd, according to the legal community, Judge Nam Shinhyang of Criminal Division 17 Single Judge sentenced producer A (54), who was indicted on charges of fraud, to one year in prison with a three-year probation.

Earlier, A was prosecuted on charges of lying to Mr. B at an office in Gangnam-gu, Seoul in 2019, saying, "I am directing Song Gain's performance," and "If you lend me 160 million won because there is not enough money for the performance, I will pay the principal and interest after one month," and failing to repay the borrowed money.

At the time, it was investigated that A had about 250 million won in personal debt and was unable to even pay salaries to office employees.

In court, A's side argued that "the performance's success was lower than expected, so the money could not be repaid, but there was no intention to deceive Mr. B or embezzle money, so the fraud charge does not apply."

The court pointed out, "According to the evidence, it is proven beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant deceived the victim and embezzled money." However, "the defendant did not make no effort for the performance," and "although the victim seems to have suffered extreme pain, the damage has been restored belatedly, and the victim does not want the defendant to be punished. Other sentencing factors such as age and conduct were also taken into consideration," the court stated.

Meanwhile, A has filed an appeal against this ruling.

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