Prosecutors have requested a three-year prison sentence for actress Hwang Jung Eum (40), who is standing trial on charges of embezzling approximately 4.34 billion KRW ($3.1 million) from her own entertainment agency.

According to the legal community, the Jeju District Prosecutors’ Office sought the prison term during a final hearing held on August 21 before Judge Lim Jae Nam of the Jeju District Court’s Criminal Division 2. Hwang faces charges under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes.

Prosecutors allege that between early 2022 and December of that year, Hwang diverted company funds totaling 4.34 billion KRW ($3.1 million) from Hunminjeongeum Entertainment, a family-owned agency in which she holds a 100% stake. About 700 million KRW ($500,000) was initially taken under the guise of temporary advances, while nearly 4.2 billion KRW ($3.0 million) was later funneled into cryptocurrency investments.

Hwang admitted to the charges during her first trial in May. Later, through her agency, she announced that she had repaid the full amount across two installments on May 30 and June 5, with supporting documents submitted to the court.

In a statement released earlier, Hwang explained her motives:“I established and operated my agency to support my career as an entertainer. With hopes of growing the company, I was encouraged around 2021 by acquaintances to invest in cryptocurrency. Believing it could increase the company’s funds, I made the poor judgment to invest, even though I lacked proper understanding. Although the funds were in the company’s name, they were earnings from my own activities, which led to my careless decision.”

The sentencing hearing for Hwang is scheduled to take place in September.