Man who stabbed CEO of South Korean crypto firm Haru Invest could face 10 years in prison
The CEO of South Korean firm Haru Invest was stabbed in court during a fraud trial in August 2024.
Sam Reynolds | Edited by Parikshit Mishra Updated Mar 19, 2025 16:05 UTC Published Mar 19, 2025 08:48 UTC
Key points:
- A South Korean man named Kang faces 10 years in prison for stabbing Haru Invest CEO Lee Hyun-soo in court. Kang lost millions when Haru Invest went bankrupt after allegedly stealing $828 million in client funds.
- Kang's defense is calling for a reduced charge of felonious assault, arguing that he acted under extreme emotional stress after losing his investment and did not intend to kill.
- The Haru Invest Victims Association has called for Kang's release, arguing that victims of the fraud are being treated unfairly while the accused executives are free on bail. Kang's sentencing is expected on April 4.
A South Korean man who attacked the CEO of bankrupt cryptocurrency firm Haru Invest now faces ten years in prison, according to local media reports.
Prosecutors in Seoul are seeking a 10-year prison sentence for a man known to local media only by his last name, Kang. He is the 50-year-old who stabbed Haru Invest CEO Lee Hyun-soo during a court hearing last year.
In 2023, Haru Invest suspended withdrawals, citing issues with partners without giving a specific reason, and in 2024, its management was arrested for allegedly stealing $828 million from clients' funds.
Kang's defense argued that he had no intent to cause death, stressing that he did not target vital organs and acted in a state of severe emotional distress after losing 100 BTC (worth $8.3 million) in the collapse of Haru Invest.
His lawyers had argued for the charge to be reduced from felony assault to attempted murder, citing his severe financial and psychological difficulties.
Ahead of the hearing, local media reported that the Haru Invest Fraud Victims Association held a press conference to demand Kang's release, arguing that fraud victims like him are being treated unfairly while those accused of embezzling hundreds of millions of dollars are free on bail.
Kang is due back in court on April 4 for sentencing.
