Prosecution Seeks 6-Year Prison Sentence for AmorePacific Employee Embezzling 3.5 Billion Won in Company Funds

Sentencing Request of 1 Year and 6 Months Imprisonment for Accomplice
All Defendants Admit Charges
"Significant Embezzlement Scale and Malicious Crime"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] Former employees of the cosmetics company Amorepacific, accused of embezzling over 3.5 billion won of company funds, have admitted to all charges. The prosecution has requested prison sentences of 6 years and 1 year and 6 months for them respectively.

The Criminal Division 11 of the Seoul Western District Court (Presiding Judge Moon Byungchan) held the first trial on the 16th for Kwon (38), who was indicted on charges of embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes and violation of the National Sports Promotion Act (gambling, etc.), and Jo (37), who was brought to trial on charges including embezzlement in the course of business.

According to the prosecution, Kwon and Jo were employees in charge of online promotions and from August 2018 to November last year, they received orders for daily necessities such as shampoo and body wash from business partners 292 times, planned “1+1” promotional events, and embezzled 3,345,060,000 won by selling these products at full price.

Kwon is also accused of using the embezzled company funds for private internet gambling, converting 6,782,760,000 won into cyber money and betting on domestic and international sports results. Jo also used 9,150,000 won for gambling.

The defendants’ lawyers admitted to all the charges.

The prosecution stated, “The scale of embezzlement is considerable, and although they have reached a settlement with the victims, the crime is serious,” and requested the court to sentence Kwon to 6 years in prison and Jo to 1 year and 6 months.

In his final defense, Kwon’s lawyer said, “Kwon acknowledges that this is an irreversible mistake and deeply regrets it,” adding, “He has used even his parents’ retirement funds to compensate the victims and has transparently submitted the details of the embezzlement after turning himself in.” He also added, “Because of Kwon, his son, daughter, and spouse are suffering mental distress.”

Jo’s lawyer also stated, “Jo has confessed from the investigation stage to the courtroom,” and argued, “The company does not want to punish the victim, and Jo recently got married after resigning and is just starting a newlywed life, so his family and wife hope for leniency.”

Kwon said, “Above all, I am sorry and apologize to the victims and their families,” and added, “I will live with a healthy mind and a heart to serve society.” Jo said, “My wife is suffering because of the ‘crime’ of marrying me, and I reflect on this every night.”

The sentencing for them is scheduled for the 19th of next month.

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