Update: Microdot’s Parents Sentenced To Prison For Fraud + File Appeal

Updated October 11 KST:

Microdot’s parents have now filed an appeal to protest the ruling of their first trial. The appeal was submitted via their legal representative on October 10.

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Original Article: 

On October 8, Microdot’s parents attended their first trial and were sentenced to prison.

Judge Ha Sung Woo of Criminal Division II of the Jechon Branch of Cheongju District Court sentenced Microdot’s father to three years and mother to one year in prison. The court did not detain Microdot’s mother under the condition of damages recovery until a final sentence confirmation from the higher court.

The judge said, “The defendants borrowed money when their liabilities exceeded their assets, gave joint guarantees, and then ran away to New Zealand when their situation became difficult after running a business. The nature of the crime is not good.”

He continued, “I decided on the sentence considering that the victims suffered for a long time, no effort was made during the past 20 years, the victims want a harsh punishment, and a partial written agreement was submitted.”

Microdot’s parents ran a dairy farm in the city of Jecheon from 1990 to 1998. After borrowing a total of 400 million won (approximately $334,000) from around 10 relatives and town residents, the couple ran away to New Zealand without paying back the money.

The police launched an investigation at the time but dropped the charges due to the unclear location of the suspects. After a halt in the investigation for 20 years, it restarted in December 2018 and Interpol issued a Red Notice. In April, Microdot’s parents were arrested at Incheon International Airport after voluntarily entering the country.

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