South Korea’s Supreme Court will deliver its ruling on November 12 in the appeal case of Ahn Sung-hyun, the former professional golfer and husband of actress and former Fin.K.L member Sung Yuri, in a long-running case over alleged solicitation to list cryptocurrency on the Bithumb exchange.
According to TV Daily, citing a report by Maeil Business Newspaper on October 31, the Supreme Court’s Third Division will hand down its judgment on Ahn’s appeal on November 12. Ahn was indicted on charges including fraud under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes and acceptance of improper benefits through breach of trust.
Prosecutors alleged that in 2021, Ahn accepted a request from businessman Kang Jong-hyun to have virtual assets listed on Bithumb and, together with former Bithumb Holdings chief executive Lee Sang-jun, received 3 billion won in cash, luxury watches and a restaurant membership card. He was also accused of deceiving Kang by claiming Lee demanded a 2 billion won listing fee, and pocketing that money.
In December 2024, the Seoul Southern District Court’s Criminal Division 11 sentenced Ahn to four years and six months in prison and ordered two luxury watches confiscated. It did not convict him over the 3 billion won cash, but found him guilty of the 2 billion won fraud and some valuables charges. He was taken into custody, then released on bail during the appeal.
In February 2026, the Seoul High Court’s Criminal Division 13 overturned that verdict and acquitted him, saying Kang’s testimony about handing over money for the listing request lacked credibility. It also cleared him of breach-of-trust benefits over the watches and membership card, and of the 2 billion won fraud charge.
Ahn debuted as a professional golfer in 2005 and coached South Korea’s national golf team reserve squad from 2014 to 2018. He married Sung Yuri in 2017, and they have twin daughters. Sung Yuri first rose to fame with first-generation girl group Fin.K.L before becoming an actress.
No new statement from Ahn was reported in the October 31 coverage. The November 12 ruling will decide whether the acquittal stands.
