The High People's Court in Ho Chi Minh City has partially accepted the appeal and reduced the sentences for Kim Chul (60), Lee Hyo Sung (52), and Kim Dong Wan (66), all South Korean nationals.

Previously, the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Court sentenced Kim Chul to 8 years for “theft” and 1 year for “intentional property damage,” totaling 9 years in prison. Lee Hyo Sung received 7 years for “theft” and 1 year for “intentional property damage,” totaling 8 years. Kim Dong Wan was sentenced to 6 years and 6 months for “theft” and 1 year for “intentional property damage,” totaling 7 years and 6 months.

Following the initial trial, all three defendants filed appeals seeking sentence reductions.

According to the initial verdict, the three entered Vietnam on November 3, 2023, as tourists. After arriving, they rented a self-drive car for transportation.

Facing a lack of funds, Kim Chul persuaded the others to join him in stealing from local homes. They purchased tools including hammers, screwdrivers, hacksaw blades, and a folding ladder to use in the burglary.

Around 4 a.m. on December 4, 2023, they targeted the home of Ms. Pham Thi Tuyet H. in Hiep Hoa Ward, Bien Hoa City. After confirming the lights were off, Kim Chul stood watch while Lee Hyo Sung and Kim Dong Wan broke into the house.

Inside, they discovered a safe in the bedroom and used tools to force it open, stealing foreign currency and jewelry. The stolen assets were valued at more than 311 million VND (approximately USD 12,300).

All three men had prior convictions in South Korea for theft and robbery.

The appellate court found that the first-instance court had appropriately considered mitigating circumstances and applied suitable sentences for theft. However, for the charge of property damage, the damage was minor, and the defendants had compensated the victim, who also requested leniency. As such, the court partially accepted the appeals to reflect humanitarian legal principles.

The revised sentences are as follows: Kim Chul received 8 years for theft and 6 months for property damage, totaling 8 years and 6 months; Lee Hyo Sung received 7 years for theft and 6 months for property damage, totaling 7 years and 6 months; Kim Dong Wan received 6 years and 6 months for theft and 6 months for property damage, totaling 7 years.

Thanh Phuong