'Rhyme Mastermind' Kim Bong-hyun Sentenced to 30 Years in First Trial... 76.9 Billion Won Recovered (Update)

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Seoyul] The first trial court sentenced Kim Bong-hyun, former chairman of Star Mobility (49), known as the 'Lime Boss,' to 30 years in prison.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 13 (Chief Judge Lee Sang-joo) on the 9th sentenced former chairman Kim, who was indicted on charges including embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, and ordered the payment of a fine of 76,935,400,000 KRW.

The court found him guilty of embezzling 19.2 billion KRW related to Star Mobility funds and misappropriating approximately 20.875 billion KRW. It also recognized charges of embezzling assets worth about 37.7 billion KRW from the Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association and embezzling 20.6 billion KRW related to Suwon Passenger Transport.

In addition, violations of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes related to Standard Asset Management, aiding the escape of Lee Jong-pil, former vice president of Lime, (harboring a criminal), and bribing a Financial Supervisory Service employee were also acknowledged as guilty. However, the court did not recognize charges related to obstruction of business and false accusation concerning Boram Funeral Services.

Only some charges of violating the Political Funds Act were recognized as guilty. The charge of supporting 30 million KRW for the establishment of the election office of Lee Sang-ho, former regional committee chairman of the Democratic Party in Busan Saha District, was not acknowledged, but the prosecution's claims regarding breach of trust and mediation involving Lee and his brother were upheld.