At a hearing held in the Seoul Southern District Court under Presiding Judge Kim Jung-gon, prosecutors requested that 51-year-old Kang Mo be sentenced to 10 years in prison for assaulting Haru Invest CEO. Although the final sentencing has not yet been handed down, the victim’s attorney believes the crime is serious.
Why 10-Year Jail Term?
According to court documents, Kang Mo assaulted the Haru Invest CEO with a knife during a courtroom hearing involving financial disputes. The prosecutors argue that the act is both violent and violates the judicial process. The District attorney stated, “The crime in this case is serious and the method of committing the crime is bad.”
During the argument, the defendant’s attorney acknowledged that the stabbing was carried out in a “normal manner” using the knife. However, he argued that Kang did not have the intent to kill, noting that the injury inflicted was not fatal and should be regarded as a “special injury.”
He contended further that the incident was not premeditated but rather the result of overwhelming emotional distress fueled by the client’s loss of 100 BTC. He claims the financial loss, currently worth over $8.3 million, led to Mo’s impulsive and tragic reaction. Mo added:
“I deeply regret that the act took place in a place where it should never have happened, and I am truly sorry.”
What’s Next for Kang Mo?
Mo’s Attorney has filed motions requesting the cancellation of the defendant’s detention and a judicial review of the detention period. The defense argued that the time spent in appraisal detention should not count towards the mandatory six-month detention under the Criminal Procedure Code.
However, the court indicated that a separate decision regarding these applications would be made before or on the same day as the sentencing. After reviewing Mo’s psychiatric evaluation, confirming that he was not suffering from any mental weakness at the time of the assault, the court concluded that the final verdict would be passed on April 4.
Meanwhile, crypto-related crimes are on the rise as criminals employ tactics like pig butchering, phishing, and in-real-life attacks to defraud victims. In 2024, reports estimate that scam revenues may have reached record highs, driven by innovative methods such as AI-enhanced deepfakes and advanced malware.
