Former bhc Chairman Hyunjong Park's Defense Signals Summoning Former CEO Geumok Lim as Witness in Embezzlement Case

Defense Argues: "Breach of Trust Requires CEO's Actions as Premise"

Former Chairman Hyunjong Park of bhc

The trial of former Chairman Hyunjong Park of bhc Group, who has been indicted on embezzlement and breach of trust charges amounting to approximately 6 billion won, is set to begin the full witness examination process, with former bhc CEO Geumok Lim being mentioned as a key witness candidate.

During the third hearing on charges of aggravated breach of trust and occupational embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, held on April 22 at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 30 (Presiding Judge Okhee Park), the court requested both the prosecution and the defense to submit detailed plans for evidence and applications for witnesses.

The defense for former Chairman Park stated that they would call Geumok Lim, who was then the CEO of bhc, as a witness and conduct cross-examination. The defense argued, "It appears that Ms. Lim was excluded from the indictment because she cooperated with the complainant during the investigation stage," and added, "For the breach of trust to be legally established, it must be premised on the actions of Ms. Lim, who was CEO at the time."

In addition, the anonymous whistleblower who initiated the case and personnel from the bhc compliance support office have also been classified as potential witnesses to be summoned in the future.

Former Chairman Park is accused of causing 3.9 billion won in financial losses to the company by closing two directly managed stores with high sales and converting them into franchise stores operated by his family. He is also alleged to have paid unjustified bonuses totaling 1.7 billion won to certain executives. In total, he was indicted without detention last November on embezzlement and breach of trust charges amounting to approximately 6 billion won.

The court plans to begin witness examinations for those selected at the next hearing scheduled for May 20.

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