Ahn Sung Hyun, a professional golfer and husband of actress Sung Yuri, has been sentenced to 4.5 years in prison for his involvement in cryptocurrency fraud and bribery. On December 26, the Seoul Southern District Court found Ahn guilty of charges including bribery and violating the Specific Economic Crimes Act (fraud). The court also ordered the confiscation of two luxury watches he received during the illicit transactions.

Ahn became the center of controversy in October 2022 when his connection to Kang Jong Hyun, the suspected real owner of the cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb, was revealed. Ahn is accused of colluding with Bithumb employees to extort millions of won from companies by promising to list their cryptocurrencies on the exchange. He is also charged with embezzling 2 billion KRW (about 1,364,650 USD) from Kang Jong Hyun during the process.

Previously, prosecutors requested a 7-year prison sentence, along with a fine of 2 billion KRW (about 1,364,650 USD), the confiscation of the luxury watches, and the recovery of 1.5 billion KRW (about 1,023,500 USD) in assets.

Ahn married Sung Yuri in 2017, and the couple has twin daughters. Following the scandal, Sung Yuri stepped back from her career. Earlier this year, she expressed her distress over the situation, stating her hope that the truth about their family’s struggles would be revealed.

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