'Cryptocurrency Listing Bribery' Bithumb Holdings CEO and Pro Golfer An Seong-hyun at Risk of Detention

Lee Sang-jun, CEO of Bithumb Holdings, who is suspected of soliciting cryptocurrency listings, and professional golfer Ahn Seong-hyun, who is accused of pocketing billions of won in exchange for listings, are on the verge of being detained.

Professional golfer Ahn Seong-hyun, who is accused of accepting money and valuables from a coin issuing company under the suspicion of fraud and breach of trust under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, appeared at the pre-arrest detention hearing at the Seoul Southern District Court in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul on the 1st.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 1st, Yoo Hwan-woo, the presiding judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Southern District Court, began the pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant substantive examination) at around 2 p.m. for CEO Lee, who is accused of embezzlement, and Mr. Ahn, who faces charges of fraud and embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes. After supplementary investigations, the prosecution re-requested an arrest warrant for Mr. Ahn on the 29th of last month. In April, the prosecution had requested an arrest warrant for Mr. Ahn, but the court dismissed it, stating that "there is room for dispute and it is difficult to see a risk of evidence destruction."

At around 1:53 p.m. on the same day, Mr. Ahn appeared at the Seoul Southern District Court for the warrant substantive examination. When asked by reporters, "Do you admit to receiving 3 billion won as a bribe?" and "Do you admit to receiving 2 billion won out of 5 billion won?" he replied, "No." CEO Lee, who appeared with him, did not respond to reporters' questions. The decision on whether to detain them is expected to be announced later that afternoon.

CEO Lee is suspected of receiving money and goods from businessman Kang Jong-hyun in exchange for soliciting the listing of domestic cryptocurrencies on Bithumb. Mr. Ahn is accused of receiving money and goods from cryptocurrency listing companies by promising to assist with Bithumb listings.

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