Kim Bong-hyun's Nephew Sentenced to 8 Months for Cutting Electronic Devices
Two Accomplices Given Suspended Sentences... "Helped During Investigation"
[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Seoyul] Among the three people who assisted the escape of former Star Mobility chairman Kim Bonghyun, known as the 'Lime body,' only his nephew Kim (34) received a prison sentence in the first trial. The other two escape accomplices were sentenced to suspended prison terms.
On the 7th at 2 p.m., Judge Park Youngsoo of the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 11 sentenced Kim, the nephew of former chairman Kim, who was charged with damage to public property, to 8 months in prison. On the same day, former entertainment agency official Hong (48) and Kim (46), who is in a common-law marriage with the former chairman’s sister and charged with aiding a criminal’s escape, were each sentenced to 6 months and 8 months in prison with a 2-year suspended sentence.
The court explained the sentencing rationale for nephew Kim, stating, "The defendant admitted his wrongdoing and cooperated actively in the investigation process, albeit belatedly, which is considered favorably," but also noted, "He played a significant role in cutting off Kim Bonghyun’s electronic monitoring device, thereby undermining the electronic monitoring system."
Kim’s nephew is accused of driving former chairman Kim on November 11 last year to the southern end of Paldang Bridge in Hanam City, Gyeonggi Province, where Kim fled ahead of his final trial, and of obscuring the material of the electronic bracelet that was cut (damage to public property). Since Kim is a relative of the former chairman, he was not charged with aiding a criminal’s escape under current law, but was charged with damage to public property.
Regarding Hong, the court said, "Assisting Kim Bonghyun’s first escape, who committed a serious crime, is not a light offense," but added, "It appears he refused Kim Bonghyun’s request to help with the escape last year." The court further stated, "We considered his belated but active cooperation in the investigation process, including helping to capture those who aided the escape and blocking attempts to secure escape funds."
Kim’s nephew benefited from the fact that he helped with the arrest during the investigation and had a family-like relationship as the boyfriend of the former chairman’s sister. After Judge Park’s sentencing, Hong and Kim, dressed in prison uniforms, bowed their heads and left the courtroom.
Former entertainment agency official Hong is accused of booking a hotel under an acquaintance’s name to provide a hiding place (aiding a criminal’s escape) when former chairman Kim fled ahead of his pretrial detention hearing in February 2020, and of providing a burner phone to Kim, who was released on bail around July 2021 (violation of the Telecommunications Business Act).
Kim, who is in a common-law marriage with the former chairman’s sister, is charged with sharing information about the progress of the investigation while communicating with the fugitive former chairman last year (aiding a criminal’s escape). All three were indicted in custody in December last year.
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