Hwang Jung-eum, once a member of the musical group Sugar, is accused of misusing around 4.3 billion won from corporate funds, leading to a request for a 3-year prison term.

Legal sources disclosed on the 21st that the Jeju District Prosecutors' Office has called for a 3-year prison sentence for Hwang. This request was made during the final legal proceedings at the Criminal Division 2 of the Jeju District Court, presided over by Judge Lim Jae-nam. The charges involve violations pertaining to the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, specifically embezzlement.

The allegations against Hwang involve the misappropriation of approximately 4.34 billion won of company funds. Included in this is about 700 million won, borrowed by Hunminjeongeum Entertainment, which she reportedly invested in cryptocurrency under the pretense of advance payments in early 2022.

Reports indicate that Hwang diverted approximately 4.2 billion won of the embezzled funds into cryptocurrency investments, while the remaining money was allocated for property and local taxes, among other expenses.

The entertainment agency involved is a family-owned business where Hwang holds total ownership as she is the only artist under its management.

Hwang has acknowledged all accusations and has reportedly reimbursed the money taken as advance payments from Hunminjeongeum Entertainment by June 5. Documentation supporting this repayment was provided to the Jeju District Court.

Her legal team has appealed for leniency, explaining, "The defendant's intention was to enhance the company through investment. She lacked proper understanding of financial procedures and assumed that repaying the amount would resolve any issues, which led her to commit this crime. There are no additional victims, and the full amount has been restored, so we request leniency."

The court is set to deliver Hwang's sentence at 10 a.m. on the 25th of the upcoming month.