Three South Koreans plead not guilty to kidnapping, demanding USDT10 million ransom

THREE South Korean men pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court in Raub today to charges of kidnapping a fellow countryman last month.

The alleged offence also involved demanding a ransom of USDT10 million (a cryptocurrency known as Tether, which is pegged to the US dollar and valued at approximately RM39.7 million).

Kwon Kyungryul, 28; Kwak Jaeil, 40; and Kim Myeong Joon, 40, entered their pleas after the charges were read out in Korean before Judge Noor Zaihan Mohamad Ali through a court interpreter, reported Bernama.

According to the charge, the three men allegedly acted with a common intention to obtain a ransom of USDT10 million after unlawfully confining and holding a 40-year-old South Korean male at KM16, Jalan Genting Highlands, Bentong on April 17.

They were charged under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961 (Act 374), which provides for a minimum prison sentence of between 30 and 40 years, as well as caning, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Fathin Nadhirah Kasim requested a new case mention date to allow for the submission of documents and the appointment of legal counsel for the three accused.

She also informed the court that the case had been reported to the South Korean Embassy. The court then set June 29 for the next case mention and ruled that no bail would be granted to any of the accused. – May 18, 2026