40s Friends of the Same Age Draw Knives Over Money Dispute... Suspended Sentences Given

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Two friends in their 40s who threatened each other with knives during an argument over money were sentenced to suspended prison terms in the first trial.

On the 17th, according to the legal community, Judge Jang Young-chae of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 11 recently sentenced A (43, male), who was indicted for special intimidation, to one year in prison with a two-year suspension, and B (43, male), who was indicted for special intimidation and violation of the Firearms and Ammunition Control Act, to six months in prison with a two-year suspension.

Previously, A and B, who had been friends for a long time, were jointly tried for threatening each other with knives in front of B's house in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, around 2 a.m. on May 13.

A is accused of harboring resentment, visiting B's house, and threatening him with a kitchen knife prepared in advance as if to stab. B was also indicted for threatening A by drawing a jangdo (a traditional Korean long knife) kept at his home. B is also charged with possessing the jangdo without the police chief's permission.

The conflict between the two friends was over money. A demanded "lend me money," but B refused, which led to an argument and escalated emotions.

The court stated, "This crime could have caused great danger to the life and body of others, so strict punishment is necessary," and pointed out, "Considering the content and circumstances of the crime, the nature of the offense is not light." It also added, "The defendants have multiple prior convictions for similar violent crimes."

However, the court also said, "Considering that the defendants confessed to the crime and showed remorse, and reached settlements with each victim, these are favorable factors," and "The sentence was determined by comprehensively considering all circumstances affecting sentencing, such as age, character, and environment."

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