150 Million Won in Gambling Funds Unpaid
No Forgiveness from Victim, but Avoids Detention
Lim Changyong's Side: "Will Appeal the Verdict"
Former professional baseball player Lim Changyong (49) has been sentenced to prison in the first trial for borrowing gambling funds and failing to repay them.
On April 24, Kim Sungjun, the presiding judge of the 11th Criminal Division of the Gwangju District Court, sentenced Lim to eight months in prison on charges of fraud. However, the court did not take him into custody, citing no risk of flight.
Lim was brought to trial on charges of borrowing approximately 150 million won from an acquaintance in December 2019 in Manila, Philippines, under the pretense of using it as casino gambling funds, but repaying only 70 million won.
The court stated, "The full amount of damages has not been recovered, and the victim has not forgiven him," adding, "However, the court also considered the fact that the victim lent the money knowing it would be used for gambling."
Immediately after the sentencing, Lim said, "I find it difficult to accept the verdict," expressing his intention to appeal. Lim's attorney also argued, "The evidence and claims submitted to the court were not reflected in the decision."
Lim Changyong began his professional career with the Haitai Tigers in 1995, later playing for the Samsung Lions, as well as teams in Japan and the United States, and retired after being released by the KIA Tigers in 2018.
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