South Korean Man Faces 10-Year Sentence for Attack on Crypto CEO

According to CoinDesk, a South Korean man identified only by his last name, Kang, is facing a potential 10-year prison sentence after attacking the CEO of the now-defunct crypto firm, Haru Invest. The incident occurred during a court hearing last year, where Kang, a man in his 50s, stabbed CEO Lee Hyung-soo. Prosecutors in Seoul have requested the decade-long sentence, highlighting the severity of the attack. Haru Invest had previously paused withdrawals in 2023, citing unspecified partner issues. The situation escalated in 2024 when the company's executives were arrested on charges of allegedly embezzling $828 million in customer funds. Kang, who reportedly lost 100 BTC, equivalent to $8.3 million, due to the firm's collapse, argued through his defense that he had no intention to kill. His legal team emphasized that he did not aim for a fatal area and acted under extreme emotional distress. They are advocating for a reduced charge of aggravated assault instead of attempted murder, pointing to Kang's severe financial and psychological hardships. In the lead-up to the hearing, the Haru Invest Victims’ Association held a press conference, calling for Kang's release. They argued that fraud victims like Kang are being treated unfairly, while executives accused of embezzling substantial amounts of money remain free on bail. Kang is scheduled to return to court on April 4 for sentencing, where the final decision on his fate will be made.