Former Actor and Club Manager Sentenced for Extorting Late Actor Lee Seon-kyun

On December 19, 2024, the Incheon District Court sentenced a club manager, identified as A, to 3 years and 6 months in prison, and a former actor, B, to 4 years and 2 months for extortion charges related to the late actor Lee Seon-kyun.

A was accused of threatening Lee Seon-kyun in September 2023 and extorting 300 million KRW (approximately $250,000). Following an investigation, it was revealed that B was the hacker who had coerced A into committing the crime. The prosecution had previously sought a 7-year sentence for both A and B during the closing arguments held on November 25.

The court noted that A had independently set the extortion amount at 300 million KRW and found it difficult to accept A's claim that B had directed the extortion or manipulated him psychologically. The court emphasized that the victim, a well-known actor, likely experienced significant fear and mental anguish due to A's actions, while B's direct threats exacerbated the situation.

Tragically, the court acknowledged that Lee Seon-kyun took his own life after the details of a drug investigation against him were leaked to the media. Although other factors may have contributed to his death, the court stated that the extortion by A and B was undeniably a cause.

However, the court also considered that A was a victim of B's threats, which influenced his actions. B showed some remorse and had dependent minor children, which were taken into account during sentencing.

Lee Seon-kyun had reported the extortion to the authorities in October 2023, but during the police investigation, A accused him of drug use, leading to further scrutiny. Despite being summoned by the police three times and testing negative for drugs, Lee's claims were not accepted. He was found dead in a parked car near his home on December 27, 2023, prompting widespread sorrow.