## Hwang Jung-eum faces suspended sentence for unauthorized investment in digital assets

South Korean actress Hwang Jung-eum has received a suspended sentence following an investigation into the misuse of company funds intended for cryptocurrency operations. The Jeju court determined that the actress improperly used approximately $3 million from her agency for these investments without authorization.

The sentence imposes a two-year probation, meaning Hwang Jung-eum will not serve time in prison as long as she does not commit new offenses during the four-year period set by the court. This decision reflected the court's leniency, considering several factors: the full repayment of 4.34 billion won (equivalent to approximately $3.1 million) and the fact that this is her first criminal record.

Initially, prosecutors had requested a three-year imprisonment without suspension. However, the court considered the full reimbursement of the amount and Hwang Jung-eum's clean record as significant mitigating factors in resolving the case.