Illegal Multi-Level Marketing Fraud Worth 1 Trillion Won
Court: Chairman Lee's Crime Nature Is Severe, No Remorse
Lee Sang-eun (78), chairman of Hystem Korea, who was indicted on charges of forcibly molesting the daughter of a woman with whom he was in a de facto marital relationship, was sentenced to imprisonment in the first trial.
The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 26 on the 13th sentenced Chairman Lee to 4 years in prison on charges including the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes and Protection of Victims (forcible molestation within family relations).
He was also ordered to complete 40 hours of sexual violence treatment programs and was banned from employment at institutions related to children, adolescents, and persons with disabilities for 5 years.
The court stated, "The defendant claimed it was simple molestation and not forcible molestation, but the victim, who was a child at the time, would have found it difficult to cope with the crime," adding, "The defendant gave an unconvincing statement in court that he does not remember because it happened long ago and showed no sign of admitting his wrongdoing or sincerely reflecting on it."
Chairman Lee’s side denied the charges at the sentencing hearing held on the 23rd of last month. At that time, Lee requested leniency from the court, saying, "There are many things I feel wronged about."
Earlier, Lee was indicted on charges of sexually molesting the daughter of a woman with whom he had been in a de facto marital relationship for about 4 years, starting 20 years ago.
Currently, Lee, who is also indicted on charges of a multi-level marketing fraud amounting to over 1 trillion won, is on trial while out on bail. He is accused of receiving more than 1.19 trillion won from subscribers by disguising transactions as agricultural, livestock, and marine products.
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