In a dramatic courtroom incident, Hugo Hyungsoo Lee, the CEO of the South Korean cryptocurrency platform Haru Invest, was attacked during legal proceedings related to the company’s alleged fraudulent activities. The assault occurred on August 28, 2024, at the Seoul Southern District Court, where Lee was on trial for charges associated with the abrupt suspension of withdrawals by Haru Invest in June 2023!

The assailant, identified only as Kang, is a man in his 50s who had reportedly invested 100 Bitcoin (BTC) in Haru Invest. Following the platform’s shutdown, Kang, along with approximately 16,000 other investors, faced significant financial losses, with total damages estimated at over $960 million. ​

During the hearing, Kang attacked Lee, stabbing him multiple times in the neck with a knife approximately 20 centimeters in length. Courtroom security swiftly intervened, subduing Kang and preventing further harm. Lee was immediately transported to Korea University Guro Hospital for emergency treatment; fortunately, his injuries were not life threatening. ​

In the aftermath, prosecutors described the attack as severe and deliberate, calling for a 10-year prison sentence for Kang on charges of attempted murder and disrupting court proceedings. During the final hearing on March 19, 2025, Kang expressed remorse, stating, “I deeply reflect and regret that this act occurred in a place where it should not have happened, and I am truly sorry.” Lee, in a display of leniency, requested the court to consider the emotional distress caused by the financial losses and advocated for a reduced sentence for Kang. The court has scheduled the final sentencing for April 4, 2025.