Nightclub Manager Who Extorted 300 Million Won from Late Lee Sunkyun Faces Seven-Year Sentence in Appeal Trial

Prosecutors Request Original Sentence Be Imposed
Three Years and Six Months in Prison Handed Down in First Trial

Seoul Seocho-gu Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (photo to aid article understanding). Photo by Kang Jinhyung

Prosecutors have requested a seven-year prison sentence in the appellate trial of a nightclub manager who extorted money from the late actor Lee Sunkyun through threats.

On May 21, during the appellate sentencing hearing for Mr. A (31), a nightclub manager charged with extortion, held at the Incheon District Court Criminal Appeals Division 3 (presiding judge Choi Seongbae), prosecutors sought the same seven-year prison term as in the original request. They asked the court to overturn the first trial's sentence of three years and six months in prison and to impose the original requested sentence of seven years.

During the closing argument, Mr. A's attorney stated, "The defendant appears to have made the wrong choice out of excessive fear after being threatened by an unidentified blackmailer, and he is reflecting on his wrongdoing." The attorney further argued, "This crime stemmed from threats by a co-defendant, and the defendant is being excessively criticized due to his occupation and media attention, beyond what his actual actions warrant."

The attorney added, "We ask the court to take into consideration, during sentencing, that a separate trial is ongoing for a crime in which the defendant was not actually involved. We also request clarification on whether there were any legal errors in the original judgment."

In his final statement, the defendant said, "Although this trial is coming to an end, I will strive to atone for my wrongdoing to the victim's family for the rest of my life. I would like to once again apologize to the bereaved family, including here in court."

In contrast, the sentencing hearing for former film actor Mr. B (30), who was indicted on the same charges, did not proceed because Mr. B's attorney was absent. In the first trial held in December last year, Mr. A was sentenced to three years and six months in prison, while Mr. B received four years and two months. Prosecutors had previously requested seven-year prison terms for each of them during the first trial's sentencing hearing.