What to know:
- A South Korean man, identified as Kang, faces a potential 10-year prison sentence for stabbing Haru Invest CEO Lee Hyung-soo during a court hearing. Kang lost millions when Haru Invest collapsed after allegedly stealing $828 million in customer funds.
- Kang's defense argues for a reduced charge of aggravated assault, citing that he acted in extreme emotional distress after losing his investment and did not intend to kill.
- The Haru Invest Victims’ Association has demanded Kang’s release, arguing that fraud victims are being treated unfairly while the accused executives are free on bail. Kang's sentencing is due on April 4.
A South Korean man who attacked the CEO of collapsed crypto firm, Haru Invest, is now facing a potential decade behind bars, according to local media reports.
Prosecutors in Seoul have requested a 10-year prison sentence for someone local media is only identifying by his last name Kang, a man in his 50s who stabbed Haru Invest CEO Lee Hyung-soo during a court hearing last year.
Haru Invest paused withdrawals in 2023, citing partner issues, without giving a specific reason, before its executives were arrested in 2024 for allegedly stealing $828 million in customer funds.
Kang’s defense argued that he had no intent to kill, noting that he did not target a fatal area and acted in a moment of extreme emotional distress after losing 100 BTC (worth $8.3 million) due to Haru Invest’s collapse.
His lawyers pushed for a reduced charge of aggravated assault rather than attempted murder, citing his severe financial and psychological hardship.
Ahead of the hearing, the local media reported that Haru Invest Victims’ Association held a press conference demanding Kang’s release, arguing that fraud victims like him were being treated unfairly while executives accused of embezzling hundreds of millions of dollars walked free on bail.
Kang is due back in court on April 4 for sentencing.