The Two Faces of a Church Elder... Embezzled 400 Million Won in Offerings Over 16 Years

Sentenced to 2 Years Imprisonment in Both First Trial and Appeal for Embezzlement in the Course of Duty

A septuagenarian elder who embezzled over 400 million won in church funds, including offerings and income, over 16 years from 2000 to 2016 was sentenced to prison again in the second trial.

The Chuncheon District Court Criminal Division 1 (Chief Judge Shim Hyun-geun) announced on the 4th that it dismissed the appeal filed by A (73), who was indicted on charges of embezzlement in the course of duty, and upheld the original sentence of two years in prison.

A, who served as an elder at a church in Gangwon Province, was tried on charges of embezzling 123.22 million won by transferring it to his own account or withdrawing it in cash 68 times while managing church offerings and other income from 2000 to November 2016. He is known to have committed the crime while in charge of managing church funds and financial affairs.

(This photo is not directly related to the article.) [Photo source=Pixabay]

The indictment stated that A embezzled a total of 420 million won by withdrawing some of the cash income such as offerings before depositing it into the church's financial account, then transferring or withdrawing it to an account under his wife's name, and using it for living expenses, his mother's hospital bills, and debt repayment.

He was sentenced to two years in prison in the first trial. At that time, the court said, "Considering that the defendant admitted to the crime, returned 250 million won to the church, and the remaining debt balance of 217 million won and delayed damages were confirmed, the sentence was determined."

Subsequently, in the appeal trial, A admitted to some of the embezzlement but argued that the amount was smaller, which was not accepted. He also claimed that some amounts were not embezzled.

The appellate court stated, "The defendant initially confessed to the entire amount of damage caused by the crime in the first trial but now disputes it in this trial. There is no reason to accept or believe the changed claims. Even considering all circumstances presented by the defendant, the original sentence is not excessively harsh or unfair."