"Deserving of Criticism, Yet..." Park Soohong Loses 9.8 Billion Won Suit Against Older Brother and Sister-in-Law

Older brother and sister-in-law sentenced in February this year for embezzlement
Park Soohong loses civil damages lawsuit

Broadcaster Park Soohong, 56, lost a damages lawsuit he filed against his older brother and sister-in-law.

Broadcaster Park Soo-hong. The Asia Business Daily DB

On November 13, the 12th Civil Division of the Seoul Western District Court, presided over by Judge Kim Jinyoung, ruled in the first trial of Park Soohong’s damages suit against his older brother, Park Jinhong, 58, and his sister-in-law, identified only by her surname Lee, 55: “The claim against Lee is dismissed, the claim against Park Jinhong is rejected, and the plaintiff shall bear the litigation costs.”

In 2021, Park Soohong’s side filed a criminal complaint alleging that his older brother and sister-in-law had embezzled his appearance fees for 30 years, in violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (embezzlement). They also initially filed a civil suit seeking about 11.6 billion won in damages from the couple. During the proceedings, the final amount claimed was set at 9.8 billion won.

Regarding the civil suit, Park Soohong’s side argued that in July 2020, Park and his agency had agreed to split their revenue 70 to 30, and that they had also made a separate agreement as individuals to divide revenue at the same ratio even before that agreement was signed. They therefore argued that he should receive 70% of the corporation’s net assets and 70% of the agency’s shares. They also argued that Park had embezzled money from his personal account and should be held liable for breach of contract and damages resulting from tortious conduct.

However, the court said, “In light of all the circumstances, it appears that before the agreement was made, rather than having a direct contractual relationship, Park Soohong and his older brother Park had the corporation manage his entertainment activities and pay him his earnings through the corporation.” It concluded that “the claims for 70% each of the net assets and shares, based on the premise of a personal agreement, are both without merit.”

Regarding the allegation that Park had embezzled Park Soohong’s personal money, the court said, “It is right to criticize the fact that, despite Park Soohong generating substantial revenue through his activities, he embezzled company funds and caused losses.” It added, however, “Since Park Soohong established the company and carried out his activities through it, with the resulting revenue belonging to the company, it is difficult to hold the individual defendant liable.”

The court added that it had also taken into account the fact that Park was acquitted in an earlier criminal trial of the charge of using personal funds; that some of the embezzled money was likely used by Park Soohong; and that some funds were transferred to Park Soohong’s account.

Meanwhile, Park Soohong’s older brother, Park, was indicted in October 2022 on charges of spending company funds for personal purposes, including apartment maintenance fees and legal fees, and diverting his younger brother’s personal funds while managing his affairs exclusively from 2011 to 2021. On February 26, 2026, the Supreme Court sentenced Park to three years and six months in prison for embezzling company funds. His wife, Lee, who was indicted without detention on charges of aiding some of the embezzlement, received a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years. However, the court found her not guilty of using Park Soohong’s personal funds.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.