Police in Seoul have closed an embezzlement case involving singer Sung Si-kyung’s former manager without referring it to prosecutors, citing a lack of intent to seek punishment from the artist’s side.
On Dec. 12, the Yeongdeungpo Police Station said the ex-manager, identified only as A, was cleared with a “no suspicion” finding and the case would not be forwarded. Officers noted that Sung’s camp did not wish to press charges and the complainant failed to sufficiently substantiate the allegations.
Sung previously revealed that a manager who had worked with him for more than a decade had betrayed the company’s trust, adding that an internal review suggested possible financial harm. The manager had appeared on Sung’s YouTube food series, and several related clips were later set to private or blurred following the controversy.
Rumors at the time included claims that concert tickets and complimentary passes were diverted and resold on the secondary market. A third party subsequently filed a criminal complaint alleging occupational embezzlement and violations of Korea’s Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, prompting the police probe.
Addressing fans on social media when the story first broke, Sung wrote, “It’s not easy when someone you trusted like family breaks that trust,” and later thanked supporters for their messages. He added, “I think being an adult is staying calm and not getting swayed by every up and down.”
Despite the dust-up, Sung will move forward with a four-night year-end concert run at Seoul’s KSPO Dome from Dec. 25?28.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)