The manager of a nightlife establishment who extorted money by threatening the late actor Lee Sun Gyun has been released on bail after the detention period expired ahead of her second trial.
The Incheon District Court’s Criminal Appeal Division 3 (Presiding Judge Choi Sung Bae) granted bail to Kim (30), the nightlife venue manager, on June 26. Following this decision, Kim was recently released from Incheon Detention Center.
The court allowed bail before the appeal trial, anticipating the expiration of Kim’s detention period. The appeal trial is scheduled to begin on July 16. Kim’s detention expired on June 30.
Under the Criminal Procedure Act, detention periods for appeals or higher court reviews may be extended up to three times, each for two months. Kim’s detention was renewed in December last year, February, and April this year.
Kim was indicted on charges of extortion. In September 2023, she allegedly called actor Lee Sun Gyun, claiming that her phone was hacked and that she was being threatened, demanding 300 million KRW (approximately $225,000) as hush money.
On December 19, 2023, Kim was sentenced to one year in prison. The court noted, “Due to Kim’s actions, the victim, a famous actor, likely suffered severe fear and extreme psychological distress.”
Kim has six prior convictions related to drugs. In November 2023, she was detained and indicted for three separate instances of methamphetamine and marijuana use.
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