Court to deliver verdict in Park Soo-hong's 9.8 billion won lawsuit

The Seoul Western District Court will deliver a first-instance verdict on September 13 regarding broadcaster Park Soo-hong's 9.8 billion won damages lawsuit against his brother and sister-in-law. This civil ruling follows the Supreme Court's finalization of criminal sentences, including 3 years and 6 months in prison for Mr. Park for embezzlement.

The first-instance verdict for the damages lawsuit filed by broadcaster Park Soo-hong against his older brother and sister-in-law, totaling approximately 9.8 billion won, will be delivered after five years. With prison sentences already finalized in the criminal trial regarding the brother's embezzlement charges, the core issue in this civil suit is how much of the damages claimed by Park Soo-hong the court will recognize. Attention is focused on the outcome as the legal dispute, which began with settlement issues within the family, moves from the criminal trial toward a major civil damages ruling.

The 12th Civil Division of the Seoul Western District Court will deliver the first-instance verdict on the damages lawsuit filed by Park Soo-hong against his older brother, Mr. Park, and his sister-in-law, Ms. Lee, on the 13th. The court had previously concluded arguments on July 10 and was scheduled to deliver the verdict on September 11, but the sentencing date has been postponed twice since then. The specific reasons for the delays have not been disclosed.

In June 2021, Park Soo-hong filed a damages lawsuit for approximately 11.6 billion won, alleging that his older brother and his wife unfairly used his broadcasting appearance fees and personal funds. During the subsequent process of re-examining settlement records spanning nearly 20 years, the claim amount briefly rose to 19.8 billion won, but it was eventually adjusted to approximately 9.8 billion won after recalculating the damages. Following prolonged disputes over long-term settlement data and cash flows, the matter is now subject to the court's judgment.

The primary focus of this civil trial is how the guilty findings finalized in the criminal trial will influence the calculation of the damages. Even if the embezzlement charges against the brother and sister-in-law were criminally recognized, it does not mean the entire amount claimed by Park Soo-hong will be granted. The civil court must independently determine the occurrence and scope of damages, the defendants' liability, and the amount of compensation. Therefore, the finalized guilty verdict in the criminal trial and the acceptance of the claim amount in the civil suit must be viewed as separate matters.

Mr. Park was brought to trial in October 2022 on charges of embezzling company and personal funds while managing Park Soo-hong's activities through two entertainment agencies he operated from 2011 to 2021. The case, in which family members who had long managed Park Soo-hong's entertainment career fought in court over economic interests, caused significant shock to the public.

The conclusion of the criminal trial has already been finalized by the Supreme Court of Korea. This past February, the Supreme Court upheld the lower court's decision to sentence Mr. Park to 3 years and 6 months in prison for charges including embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes. Ms. Lee also had her sentence of 1 year in prison with a 2-year stay of execution finalized in the appellate court after some charges, including the private use of corporate cards, were found guilty.

Previously, the first-instance criminal trial sentenced Mr. Park to 2 years in prison but acquitted Ms. Lee. The appellate court increased Mr. Park's sentence to 3 years and 6 months and ordered him to be detained, while also finding Ms. Lee guilty of some charges. Following the Supreme Court's confirmation of the appellate ruling, the criminal liability of the brother and sister-in-law has been finalized.

What remains is the civil remedy for the property damages claimed by Park Soo-hong. Separate from the fact that the embezzlement and responsibility were confirmed in the criminal trial, whether the claim for 9.8 billion won in damages will be accepted to any extent depends on the judgment of the civil court. Attention is drawn to what conclusion the five-year legal dispute between family members will reach through this sentencing.

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