The court has granted the bail request of Ahn Seong-hyun, a former professional golfer, who was sentenced to prison at first instance for allegedly taking illegal listing fees amounting to billions of won in exchange for listing cryptocurrencies.
On the 11th, the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 13, presided over by Director General Baek Gang-jin, made a ruling in favor of Ahn's bail request, who faces charges under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes. The court set conditions for the bail, including a deposit of 50 million won, residence restrictions, a ban on leaving the country without the court's permission, and limitations on contact with other defendants and witnesses.
The bail of Lee Sang-jun, the former head of Bithumb Holdings, and businessman Kang Jong-hyun, who were indicted alongside Ahn and received prison sentences in the first instance last December, was also granted on the same day. Both individuals face charges of embezzlement and breach of trust.
Ahn and the former head Lee were tried in September 2023 for allegedly receiving 3 billion won in cash, two luxury watches worth a total of 400 million won, and high-end restaurant membership cards in exchange for a request to list Coin A on the Bithumb exchange from Kang in 2021. Ahn is also accused of deceiving Kang by saying that 'Lee wants the listing fee of 2 billion won quickly,' and accepting 2 billion won.
The first trial found Ahn and former head Lee guilty of some charges, sentencing them to 4 years and 6 months and 2 years in prison, respectively, along with confiscation of about 50 million won. Kang was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison.
Ahn, who debuted as a professional golfer in 2005 and served as a coach for the national golf team in 2014-2018, drew public attention when he married Sung Yuri, a former member of the girl group Fin.K.L, in 2017.