Hwang Jung-eum, who rose to fame as a member of the music group Sugar, is accused of embezzling about 4.3 billion won from company finances. This charge has led to a proposed 3-year imprisonment.

Legal sources revealed on the 21st that the Jeju District Prosecutors' Office, in the final proceedings for violating the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes Act (embezzlement), has sought a 3-year sentence for Hwang. The case is being presided over by Judge Lim Jae-nam at the Jeju District Court's Criminal Division 2.

The allegations against Hwang involve her embezzling approximately 4.34 billion won of company assets, including around 700 million won derived from loans by Hunminjeongeum Entertainment. These funds were purportedly invested in cryptocurrency under the pretense of advance payments during early 2022.

Reports suggest that Hwang diverted nearly 4.2 billion won of the embezzled funds into cryptocurrency investments, while the remainder was allocated towards property and local taxes as well as various other expenses.

The company involved is a family-run business entirely owned by Hwang, who is also its sole artist.

Hwang has acknowledged all allegations against her and has reportedly reimbursed the advance payments to Hunminjeongeum Entertainment by June 5. The respective documentation has been filed with the Jeju District Court.

Hwang's legal team has appealed for clemency, arguing that her intentions were to enhance the company's growth. They assert that her lack of financial literacy and procedural knowledge, along with the belief that repayment would rectify the situation, contributed to the offense. They emphasize that there are no additional victims and the total amount has been returned, thus requesting leniency.

The court is scheduled to announce Hwang's sentence at 10 a.m. on the 25th of the following month.