60-Year-Old Sentenced for Embezzling Sister's Share of Settlement Money from Younger Sibling's Traffic Fatality Case

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] A man in his 60s who embezzled more than 100 million won of the settlement money owed to his older sister from their youngest brother's traffic fatality case was sentenced to prison in the first trial.

On the 12th, Shin Gyo-sik, Chief Judge of Criminal Division 3 at Chuncheon District Court Wonju Branch, announced that he sentenced A (62) to one year in prison on charges of embezzlement.

In July 2020, A called his older sister B (63) and said, "The settlement money from the youngest brother's traffic fatality case is coming out, and I will receive your share on your behalf, so please send me a power of attorney and a certificate of seal impression." Subsequently, on July 29 of the same year, he received the power of attorney and certificate of seal impression from B by registered mail.

On August 6, 2020, A received a total of about 259 million won from the insurance company, including insurance money for the traffic fatality settlement and a personal criminal settlement. Of this amount, B's share, excluding hospital expenses, was about 119 million won, corresponding to 50% of the inheritance portion.

However, despite B's requests for payment of the settlement money, A was prosecuted for embezzlement for failing to pay without justifiable reason.

Chief Judge Shin explained, "Considering the method and outcome of this crime, the nature and circumstances are serious. Even though a considerable amount of time has passed since the crime, no settlement has been reached with the victim, and the repayment amount is only 40 million won, these factors were taken into account in determining the sentence."

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