[Asia Economy Online Issue Team] Broadcaster Park Suhong has taken legal action against his older brother and sister-in-law, with Park Suhong's legal representatives claiming that the couple embezzled over 5 billion KRW in the past five years.
According to a report by JoongAng Ilbo on the 8th, Park Suhong's legal representative, Attorney Noh Jong-eon of Law Firm S, stated, "Even limiting the period to the recent five years during which Park Suhong was active in broadcasting, the estimated amount embezzled exceeds 5 billion KRW."
Attorney Noh explained, "All accounting documents are held by the older brother's side, making it difficult to secure materials to specify the exact amount. This figure only accounts for a portion of the embezzlement from Lael, where Park Suhong is a co-CEO. If the period is extended to 30 years, the amount would be significantly larger."
The companies related to Park Suhong include Media Boom Entertainment, his former agency, and Lael, two corporations. Attorney Noh said, "Media Boom is headed by the older brother as CEO, and his family holds shares. Lael is jointly owned 50-50 by Park Suhong and his sister-in-law, who are co-CEOs."
He added, "Lael was profitable during its wedding business operations, but has had no profits since the wedding business ended. The corporation paid Park Suhong an average annual salary of about 200 million KRW."
Additionally, the specific embezzlement allegations made by Park Suhong's side against his older brother and sister-in-law fall into three main categories: ▲the couple failed to properly settle accounts, ▲they imposed taxes and expenses on Park Suhong, and ▲they embezzled company funds and used corporate cards for personal purposes without authorization.
There were also instances of unauthorized withdrawals from Park Suhong's personal bank account and unexplained corporate expense processing. Attorney Noh said, "Although Park Suhong is a man, expensive women's clothing was purchased at department stores, as well as high-end gym memberships and aesthetic (beauty) services that Park Suhong never used. Meanwhile, Park Suhong himself buys clothes at Dongdaemun."
Regarding the older brother's side mentioning Park Suhong's girlfriend born in 1993, he stated, "The core issue is embezzlement. What does having a girlfriend born in 1993 have to do with this matter? In cases of malicious defamation, we intend to respond with a libel suit."
Meanwhile, on the 5th, Park Suhong's side filed a complaint with the prosecution against his older brother and sister-in-law on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (embezzlement).
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
