A court in South Korea has sentenced a 90-year-old woman to one year in prison for laundering money linked to her son’s drug trafficking activities.
According to court findings, the woman received approximately 386 million won over nine transactions between April 2020 and February 2022. She then transferred the funds to another account under her son’s instructions.
Her son, identified as Song in reports, is currently serving a prison sentence in Cambodia. Authorities convicted him in 2020 for trafficking methamphetamine into the country.
The court determined that the woman likely knew the money came from illegal sources. Evidence showed she had visited Cambodia multiple times in 2019 and was aware of her son’s arrest and conviction.
Judge Wi Eun-suk stated that her actions made it more difficult for authorities to trace illicit funds. He also emphasized that her involvement contributed to the wider spread of narcotics, making the offense serious.
Despite the severity of the crime, the court considered her advanced age and lack of previous drug-related offenses when deciding the sentence.
Meanwhile, South Korean authorities are working to bring Song back from Cambodia to face further legal proceedings.
The case also involved Song’s daughter, who faced charges related to handling illicit funds. Prosecutors accused her of receiving more than 600 million won and transferring part of it.
However, the court later acquitted her due to insufficient evidence. Judges concluded that prosecutors failed to prove she knew the money originated from drug trafficking.
This case highlights the strict stance South Korea takes on financial crimes connected to narcotics, regardless of age or personal circumstances.
