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Read Full BioA criminal court has decided against jailing a South Korean air force officer who embezzled 9.5 million won ($6,400) of his subordinates’ money to spend on illegal sports betting.
A branch of the Gwangju District Court sentenced the unnamed Air Force reservist, aged 24, to two years in prison. But the court suspended this sentence for four years.
The court also ordered the man to serve two years of probation and 160 hours of community service, the South Korean newspaper Maeil Shinmun reported.
A panel of judges found the man guilty of forging certificates and using fake documents. The judges also found him guilty of habitual gambling and further violations of the National Sports Promotion Act.
The man rose to a middle-ranking position during his mandatory military service, prosecutors told the court.
The defendant duped 275 of his Air Force juniors between December 2023 and April 2024, to “pay off debts accumulated through illegal gambling,” prosecutors explained.
South Korean Air Force: Officer Forged Documents
Officials showed the court evidence that the man made a total of 5,780 bets on illegal online sports gambling websites. All these bets were placed between 2017 and 2024.
The man began by telling junior soldiers in his barracks that they needed to pay to accrue “points” to purchase their military uniforms. This ruse allowed him to pocket approximately 3 million won, or over $2,000.
He then defrauded a second time, the court heard. The officer told his subordinates they each needed to pay 8,000 won (over $5) for lunch after completing a special training exercise. This allowed him to raise a further 6.26 million won ($4,214).
In fact, prosecutors said, all meals and uniform costs were covered by the Air Force’s funds.
Police and prosecution investigations revealed that the man used “most of the money” he received to pay off his personal gambling debts.
Prosecutors also told the court he had submitted fake documents to the company commander. These documents, the court heard, allowed him to use his cell phone in the barracks.
Court Explains Decision to Suspend Jail Term
The panel of judges called the nature of the crimes “serious.” But it also gave reasons for its clemency in sentencing.
“Although most of the victims have not yet forgiven him, the damages done to each individual soldier were not large,” said the presiding judge.
“The authorities have recovered a significant portion of the damages,” the judge continued. “Furthermore, the defendant has no previous criminal record and has pledged to live an honest life after he is discharged.”
Sports betting is largely illegal in South Korea. The sole exceptions are pools betting on the government-run Sports Toto platform, horse racing at official tracks, and traditional bullfighting betting.
Military service is mandatory for all able-bodied male citizens in South Korea. Conscripts typically serve between 18 and 21 months in the armed forces between the ages of 18 and 28.
Exemptions are rare and are usually only granted to individuals with severe health issues. The government also exempts athletes who have won major tournaments or Olympic medals.
