Hwang Jung-eum, previously a member of the musical group Sugar, is facing charges related to the misappropriation of about 4.3 billion won from company resources. A three-year imprisonment term has been proposed.

As per legal references dated the 21st, a prosecutorial request for a three-year sentence was put forth during the concluding trial. This was held at the Jeju District Court's Criminal Division 2, under Judge Lim Jae-nam, concerning a breach of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (embezzlement).

Hwang stands accused of siphoning off roughly 4.34 billion won from company coffers. This sum includes around 700 million won borrowed by Hunminjeongeum Entertainment, purportedly used for early 2022 cryptocurrency investments disguised as preliminary payments.

Reports indicate that approximately 4.2 billion won of the misappropriated sum was channeled into cryptocurrency, while residual funds covered real estate and municipal taxes, among other obligations.

The implicated entity is a family-operated business entirely owned by Hwang, who is also its sole represented artist.

Hwang has conceded to the charges, having purportedly reimbursed the advance payments extracted from Hunminjeongeum Entertainment by June 5, with corroborative documentation submitted to the Jeju District Court.

Legal counsel for Hwang has requested clemency, arguing that her financial endeavors aimed at corporate growth were hindered by a lack of fiscal and procedural awareness. They assert that she believed reimbursement would settle any issues, thus instigating the offense. Given there are no further victims and full restitution has been made, the defense seeks leniency.

Hwang's sentencing is slated for 10 a.m. on the 25th of the upcoming month.