The Seoul Southern District Prosecutor’s Office demanded a 10-year prison sentence for a man who attacked the CEO of crypto custody firm Haru Invest in August 2024. This request was confirmed during Wednesday’s final hearing, highlighting the severity of the attack.
Courtroom Assault
The attacker, 51-year-old Kang, stabbed Haru Invest CEO Lee Hyung-soo multiple times in the neck with a fruit knife. Lee was rushed to the hospital but did not suffer life-threatening injuries. The assault occurred while Lee was attending a court hearing on fraud charges.
Fraud Allegations
Lee is accused of being involved in a fraudulent scheme that caused around 1.4 trillion Korean won (roughly $962 million) in losses for 16,000 investors. From March 2020 to June 2023, Haru Invest allegedly promised high returns of up to 16% despite facing financial troubles since 2019. Haru Invest suspended withdrawals in June 2023 and declared bankruptcy in November. Prosecutors accused three Haru Invest executives of stealing digital assets and misleading customers by falsely claiming to operate a stable business.
Defendant and Victim's Reactions
Kang, who lost 100 BTC (worth about $8.3 million) in Haru investments, reportedly argued that the emotional distress from his financial losses led to the attack. His lawyer claimed the assault should be classified as aggravated assault rather than attempted murder. During Kang’s December 2024 court hearing, Lee stated he needed more time to decide on seeking legal action, focusing instead on recovering damages through the bankruptcy process. The court's sentencing announcement is scheduled for April 4.
South Korean prosecutors emphasize the need for serious punishment for the attack on the executive amidst ongoing fraud allegations. The court's verdict is expected in April.
