조현범 한국타이어앤테크놀로지 회장. (사진=연합뉴스 자료사진)

 

[Alpha Biz=(Chicago) Reporter Kim Jisun] While Chairman Cho Hyun-bum of Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire) was arrested and indicted on charges of embezzlement, breach of trust and unfair support of affiliates worth 20 billion won, Chairman Cho denied most of the charges during the first trial process.

The Criminal Affairs Agreement Department 23 (Senior Judge Cho Byung-koo) at the Seoul Central District Court held on the 21st the first trial preparation date for Chairman Cho and one other person, who was indicted on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Economic Crimes (embezzlement).

Chairman Cho denied the allegations of breach of trust against MKT in court. He also argued that the act of lending funds to Rihan does not constitute breach of trust. Charges such as the purchase of cars and the payment of personal moving fees admit the facts, but said it is necessary to examine whether they legally constitute embezzlement and breach of trust and whether the intention of the purpose is in line with the charges.

The court explained that it will review the law on major charges such as breach of trust. He also explained that a swift hearing within Chairman Cho's arrest period is inevitable.

Meanwhile, Cho was arrested in November 2019 on charges of taking bribes from his partner and siphoning off a large amount of company money. In the first trial, Chairman Cho was sentenced to three years in prison and suspended for four years, and the ruling was confirmed after an appeals court.

 

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