60s Brothers Fined Again in 2nd Trial for 'Bank VIP Room Scuffle' Over Father's Bankbook

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] A pair of brothers in their 60s who got into a physical altercation in a bank VIP room over the management of their father's bank account were both fined again in the appellate court.

According to the legal community on the 15th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Appeals Division 5-3 (Chief Judge Lee Gwan-hyung) sentenced elder brother A (66) and younger brother B (64), who were indicted on assault charges, to fines of 500,000 won and 700,000 won respectively on the 11th, the same as in the first trial.

The court stated, "Based on the evidence, it is reasonable to see that both defendants were emotionally agitated and attacked each other rather than one side attacking unilaterally," and added, "It is also difficult to say that the original sentencing was excessively harsh beyond the reasonable scope of discretion."

A, a former first-grade public official, and B, a company CEO, were jointly tried for assault after a dispute on June 3, 2020, in a bank VIP room in Jung-gu, Seoul, over reissuing a bankbook under their father's name.

The conflict reportedly escalated as other siblings, including A, demanded B, who usually managed their father's bank account, to show transaction details. At the time, their ailing father and mother, as well as other siblings, witnessed the scene in the VIP room.

Under criminal law, assault charges are dismissed if both parties do not wish to prosecute. However, none of the brothers withdrew their complaints. The court inquired about the possibility of reconciliation, saying, "It seems they could have amicably settled," but the dispute has continued as another sister withdrew 2.3 billion won from the mother's account, leading to a separate lawsuit, and the process of appointing a guardian for the father is also underway.

In court, the brothers blamed each other for the incident. A's lawyer argued, "The younger brother shouted first, and A only tried to push him away," adding, "Everything would have ended if the transaction details were disclosed." B's side countered, "Please carefully review the video," and stated, "Our father entrusted property management to me, the youngest, and our mother, so no one could act arbitrarily."

In his final statement, A said, "It is truly shameful and distressing for brothers to stand in court like this. Approaching my 70s, becoming a petty criminal is also disgraceful." Going forward, the brothers can take the case to the Supreme Court to determine right and wrong until the end. During the Supreme Court trial, they may withdraw their complaints to avoid becoming petty criminals. If no appeal is filed by the 18th, this ruling will become final.

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