The accused is alleged to have put the pesticide methomyl into the partner’s coffee during a meeting in November. The victim collapsed, was taken to hospital, and regained consciousness three days later.
Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office opened the case and brought the charges. According to local outlets, the dispute grew out of heavy losses tied to a shared Bitcoin investment program in the crypto market that began in 2022.
Alleged PoisoningThe man accused is said to have met his partner at a café and offered a drink. After taking a few sips, the partner lost consciousness. Emergency services were called. He was rushed to hospital and stayed under care for several days.
He later told reporters his life had been shaken; he had been planning a wedding and his partner’s illness hit his family hard.
Reports note the two ran an investment operation that handled pooled money for Bitcoin bets within the crypto sector. The exact business setup is not fully explained in public reports. It is not clear whether outside investors were involved or if the money was only theirs.
That detail matters because it changes how the loss would be seen — as private failure or as potential misconduct affecting others. For now, prosecutors are focused on the poisoning charge and a breach of the Pesticide Control Act.
Crypto Deal Disaster: The Human Toll Court DateA trial is scheduled for March 10 at the Seoul Eastern District Court. Prosecutors will present evidence linking the accused to the pesticide and to the drink served that day.
The accused faces serious penalties if convicted, including prison time and fines under the pesticide law.
Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
