Actor Hwang Jungeum (40), who was indicted on charges of embezzling approximately 4.34 billion won from her family-owned corporation, has recently repaid the entire amount in damages.
On June 17, Hwang Jungeum's agency, Y One Entertainment, announced, "Hwang Jungeum has repaid in full the amount she used in the form of provisional payments from Hunminjeongeum Entertainment by liquidating her personal assets. The repayments were made in two installments, on May 30 and June 5."
Previously, in 2022, Hwang Jungeum was indicted without detention on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (embezzlement) for using approximately 4.34 billion won from Hunminjeongeum Entertainment, a company in which she owns 100% of the shares, for personal purposes. Of this amount, it was found that 4.2 billion won was invested in cryptocurrency.
Hunminjeongeum Entertainment is a family-owned corporation with Hwang Jungeum as its sole member. At the time of indictment, Hwang Jungeum's side explained, "The investment in cryptocurrency was intended to grow the company," and added, "Since the corporation could not directly hold cryptocurrency, the transactions were temporarily made in her personal name."
At the first trial held on May 15 at the Jeju District Court Criminal Division 2, Hwang Jungeum admitted all charges. She stated, "I believed that the company's profits came from my entertainment activities, and due to poor judgment, I committed the offense. I have repaid the full amount by selling my personal assets."
Hwang Jungeum said, "As the owner of a one-person corporation and not a professional manager, I deeply regret causing controversy due to my lack of proper tax and accounting knowledge. From now on, I will seek expert advice even on minor matters and approach my responsibilities with greater care and accountability."
The second trial for Hwang Jungeum is scheduled to be held in August.
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