Sentencing Hearing Scheduled for March 27
The prosecution has requested a prison sentence for former baseball player Lim Changyong (49), who was indicted on charges of borrowing gambling funds and failing to repay them.
On the 21st, during the final trial for fraud charges against Lim, held at the Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 11 under Presiding Judge Kim Sungjun, the prosecution requested the court to sentence the defendant to one year and six months in prison.
The prosecution stated, "The defendant has not shown remorse for his actions, as he has repeatedly changed his statements during the investigation and trial," adding, "The victim is also petitioning for a severe punishment."
Lim's attorney argued, "The victim's testimony lacks credibility, as he cannot even recall whether the money given was gambling chips or cash, or whether it was in Korean won or Philippine pesos," further stating, "There was no deception regarding the purpose of the loan or the intent to repay, and the alleged amount of 70 million won in gambling chips has been fully repaid, so the charge of fraud does not apply," insisting on Lim's innocence.
Lim was brought to trial on charges of borrowing approximately 80 million won from victim A in Manila, Philippines, in December 2019 and failing to repay the amount.
However, prior to the final trial, the prosecution amended the indictment, alleging that Lim borrowed 150 million won and repaid only 70 million won.
The sentencing hearing for Lim is scheduled for March 27.
Meanwhile, Lim debuted as a professional player in 1995 with the Haitai Tigers and later played for the Samsung Lions as well as in overseas leagues in Japan and the United States as a national team pitcher. He ended his playing career with the KIA Tigers in 2018. Last year, he was named one of the 'Legend 40' selected by the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) to mark the 40th anniversary of the league's founding.
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