[Exclusive] Key Witness MC Mong in 'Coin Listing Bribery' Case Refuses to Appear 3 Times... Court Plans Forced Summons

Seoul Southern District Court Imposes 3 Million Won Fine
Witness Summons Delivered but Did Not Appear in Court
"If Absent Again at Next Hearing, Arrest Warrant Will Be Issued"

Singer MC Mong (real name Shin Dong-hyun) was fined several million won for failing to respond to three subpoenas issued by the court in connection with the trial of professional golfer Ahn Seong-hyun, who is accused of fraud related to so-called 'coin listing kickbacks.' The court plans to proceed with a compulsory detention procedure against MC Mong.

On the 28th, the Criminal Division 11 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Jeong Do-seong) imposed a fine of 3 million won on MC Mong for refusing to appear as a witness at the trial of the 'coin listing kickbacks' case held the previous day. MC Mong received subpoenas on three occasions?December 26 last year, January 17 this year, and February 14?but did not appear in court. During this period, he also changed his mobile phone number, making contact impossible. Presiding Judge Jeong said, "(Besides Mr. Shin) the testimonies of the witnesses are conflicting, increasing the necessity for witness examination of Shin Dong-hyun," adding, "If he does not appear at the next hearing, a warrant for detention will be issued."

Singer MC Mong (real name Shin Dong-hyun) / Photo by Yonhap News

The defendants in this trial include Ahn, known as the husband of singer-turned-actress Sung Yuri, former Bithumb Holdings CEO Lee Sang-jun, Kang Jong-hyun, who was suspected of being the actual owner of Bithumb, and Song, a person related to the coin issuing company. Ahn was indicted on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (fraud) and breach of trust, Lee on breach of trust, and Kang and Song on charges of mediation of breach of trust.

MC Mong is one of the key witnesses to clarify the circumstances under which a total of 5 billion won was exchanged between Ahn and Kang. The prosecution's indictment states that Kang received a request from Song, a person related to the coin issuing company, to list the coin on the virtual asset exchange Bithumb, and gave Ahn and former CEO Lee 3 billion won in cash and luxury watches. However, Ahn and Lee's side completely denies the charges. On the other hand, Kang admits all charges and claims to have provided an additional 2 billion won besides the 3 billion won.

MC Mong is involved in Ahn's fraud charges related to this 'additional 2 billion won.' The prosecution understands that around January 2022, Ahn agreed to acquire a 5% stake in Big Planet Made (BPM) Entertainment, an entertainment agency where MC Mong was an inside director, in exchange for enabling Kang to invest 20 billion won from him. MC Mong was also promised a 5% stake. However, in April of the same year, MC Mong was caught by customs while attempting to export 70,000 USD overseas. Despite this risk causing the actual investment to fall through, Kang's side claims that Ahn did not return the 2 billion won.

In previous hearings, the testimonies of two witnesses presented by both sides were completely contradictory. The court deemed MC Mong's testimony necessary as a person involved in the case but he did not respond to the subpoena. The imposition of the fine effectively signals the start of compulsory detention procedures. According to the Criminal Procedure Act, if a witness fails to appear without justifiable reason even after being fined, the court may detain the witness for up to seven days. The next hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. on the 12th of next month.