Passionate Fan's Money Embezzled... 'December' Former Singer Sentenced to 6 Years for Large-Scale Fraud

Yoon Hyuk from December sentenced to 6 years in prison for fraud charges
"I will pay the principal plus 30% profit within 3 weeks"

Yoon Hyuk (39, real name Lee Yoon Hyuk), a singer formerly of the group 'December,' who was indicted on charges of fraud involving 1.7 billion won, has been sentenced to prison.

On the 23rd, Yonhap News reported that the 15th Criminal Division of the Incheon District Court (Chief Judge Ryu Ho-jung) sentenced Yoon Hyuk, who was detained and indicted on charges including fraud under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, to six years in prison.

The court stated, "The defendant embezzled a large sum of money," and pointed out, "Despite being under police investigation for the initial crimes, he did not refrain from wrongdoing and continued committing offenses." It added, "One of the victims suffered significant mental distress after being defrauded by the defendant, who was a favorite celebrity," and explained the sentencing rationale by saying, "Although the defendant shows remorse, the damages have not been restored, and considering that the victims also desire criminal punishment."

Singer Yoon Hyuk. [Image provided by CS Happy Entertainment]

Earlier, at the sentencing hearing held on the 2nd of last month, the prosecution requested a 10-year prison term, stating, "The defendant denied some of the offenses." Yoon Hyuk was charged with embezzling a total of 1.7 billion won from about 20 acquaintances and others from August 2021 to May last year. It was found that he deceived victims by claiming, "I run a business distributing cosmetics in China, and if you invest, I will return the principal plus 30% profit within 2 to 3 weeks." However, it was revealed that Yoon Hyuk had debts of about 500 million won at the time and committed the crimes without the ability or intention to pay profits, using the funds for debt repayment or personal purposes.

Yoon Hyuk was detained and indicted in June last year on charges of fraud involving about 800 million won, and seven other fraud charges were confirmed around that time, leading to a consolidated trial. In 2017, he was also booked without detention by the police for driving a vehicle while his license had been revoked due to drunk driving.

Meanwhile, Yoon Hyuk debuted in the music industry in 2007 with the song "Namja-ui Sarang" ("A Man's Love") included in Jia's compilation album. Later, in 2009, he formed the group December with DK, producing hits such as "Byeoli Doelge" ("I Will Be a Star"), "Sarang Cham" ("True Love"), and "Baeun Ge Sarangira" ("What I Learned Is Love"). He also won awards including the Singer of the Year at the 2010 KBS Song Festival. Since 2019, he has been active as a solo singer.