60-Year-Old Sentenced to 4 Years for Stealing and Selling 'Kim Whanki Painting' Worth 4 Billion Won Owned by Teacher

Seoul Eastern District Court
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-gi] A man in his 60s who secretly sold a painting by Korea's representative abstract artist Kim Whanki, which belonged to his deceased mentor, and pocketed 4 billion won has been sentenced to prison.

The Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 12 (Presiding Judge Min Cheol-gi) on the 13th sentenced Mr. Kim, who was indicted on charges of theft and embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes for secretly selling 'Sanullim (1973)', a painting by Kim Whanki owned by university professor Mr. A, to four years in prison.

Mr. Kim is accused of conspiring with Professor A's driver and housekeeper at the end of 2018 to steal and keep the painting Sanullim, then selling it the following year. Professor A passed away in December 2018 due to an illness.

The court stated, "It is difficult to accept the testimony that Professor A, who did not appear to intend to dispose of the painting, entrusted Mr. Kim, who was not a relative, with the sale of the painting and even permitted the use of the proceeds." It added, "Knowing that Professor A was ill, Mr. Kim conspired with the driver to steal and sell the painting, and the amount of damage is very large. Considering that Mr. Kim denies the charges claiming he had permission from Professor A, severe punishment seems necessary," explaining the sentencing rationale.

Mr. Kim denied all charges, claiming that his long-time mentor Professor A, who had financial difficulties in 2015, once told him, "It is difficult now, but later when I organize my works, I can help you; organize this (painting) and use it," but the court did not accept this.

Initially, Mr. Kim was only charged with embezzling the proceeds from the painting sale, but near the end of the trial, the driver reversed his testimony, stating that he conspired with Mr. Kim to steal the painting, resulting in an added theft charge. The court judged that since the driver, who participated in the crime, reversed his testimony despite risking criminal punishment, Mr. Kim’s conspiracy to commit theft could also be recognized.

According to the police, Professor A’s family reported to the police that a work, which Professor A had purchased directly from Kim Whanki and kept for over 40 years, was missing while they were organizing his belongings, stating, "The painting was stolen." The police tracked the circumstances of the painting’s sale, confirmed the transaction contract, and arrested Mr. Kim last year.

Investigations revealed that Mr. Kim used part of the 4 billion won gained from selling 'Sanullim' to purchase an apartment worth around 2 billion won in Jamsil, Seoul. It was also found that he distributed about 1 billion won each to the driver and housekeeper who conspired in the crime.