"I like you so much".Lee Sun-kyun's final statement was made by the head of an entertainment establishment that threatened to rob 300 million won.

Mr. A (left) and Mr. B (left), the head of the entertainment establishment who threatened Lee Sun-kyun. [Captured MBC's "Real Story Exploration Team" (left), courtesy of Yonhap News]

The head of an entertainment establishment and a former movie star who were put on trial for threatening the late Lee Sun-kyun and ripping off 300 million won were sentenced to heavy punishment.

In a final hearing held on the 25th by Judge Hong Eun-sook of the Incheon District Court's Criminal Chamber 4, the prosecution demanded seven years in prison for A (30, female) and B (29, female), a former movie star, who were indicted on charges of blackmailing actor Lee Sun-kyun and ripping off 300 million won and 50 million won each.

The prosecution said, "The defendant A deliberately committed the crime, such as buying a fake phone by exploiting the fact that the victim was a celebrity," adding, "The case is serious and the nature of the crime is poor."

In September last year, A was indicted on charges of robbing Lee Sun-kyun of 300 million won, saying, "My phone is hacked and I am being threatened, but I need money to cover it." B was also put on trial for threatening Lee Sun-kyun separately from A and ripping off 50 million won.

Mr. A was close to Mr. B and shared his friendship with famous celebrities, but after learning this, he claimed that Mr. B threatened Mr. A by posing as a "hacking offender" behind his back.

In his closing argument, A's lawyer said, "B, the co-defendant, gaslighted A (psychological control) and made him receive money," adding, "B, who has committed many crimes in the past, coordinated and threatened A." The defendant then pleaded not guilty, saying, "The defendant is a victim of a 'one person, two roles' play."

Mr. A, who was in court in a veterinary suit, said in his closing statement, "I was threatened by the blackmailer (B) from the beginning of my relationship with my brother (Lee Sun-kyun), and I wanted to pay him quickly to protect my brother and end it. I didn't even intend to threaten him because he was such a person I liked so much," he said in tears.

He also claimed, "I thought the blackmailer hacked my phone and knew everything and tried to prepare my brother," and "I received advice from B when I sent a message asking for money to Lee Sun-kyun."

Lee Sun-kyun, who was robbed of 350 million won by them all, died in December last year while under police investigation for drug use.

A said to the deceased victim, "I really didn't know that things would be this big. He said, "I regret it and I'm sorry."

Mr. B, who was sentenced to seven years in prison just like Mr. A, has admitted virtually all of the charges at trial. In his closing argument, his lawyer appealed for leniency, saying, "The defendant has admitted most of his wrongdoings and stated the truth since the middle of the investigation," adding, "I am reflecting on my life in prison."

The sentencing hearing for A and B is scheduled to be held on the 19th of next month.


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