The police officer who secretly used money collected from loss reports as living expenses has been sentenced to a suspended prison term in the first instance.

According to the legal community on the 23rd, Judge Jang Jeong-shin of the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Mr. A, indicted for embezzlement in the course of his duties, to 10 months in prison with a 2-year suspension.

Mr. A, who was employed as a non-permanent staff member in the Financial Affairs Division of the police department, was put on trial for embezzling around 54 million won, which he spent at his discretion during the period from June 3, 2022, to January 22, 2024, over a total of 565 cases in which he received requests to hold lost cash.

When requested by the Safety and Security Department to hold lost cash, Mr. A was responsible for depositing the funds into the government trust account and withdrawing and returning the money upon requests from the owner or finder.

The court stated, "The defendant repeatedly committed embezzlement by using the money that was supposed to be deposited as government-held funds without consent, violating trust in his duties, which raises significant blame."

However, it also noted, "The defendant has consistently acknowledged his wrongdoing to the investigative agency and shows sincere remorse, even repaying a portion of the embezzled funds during the embezzlement period."

Moreover, it conveyed the reasons for the sentencing, stating, "Right after the crime, he repaid all the remaining victim's money and has even requested leniency from the police station."

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