Should misappropriation lead to jail time regardless of amount?

A South Korean lawyer has been fined $7,000 for misappropriating over $4,000 in settlement funds from police officer clients and investing the money in cryptocurrencies. According to NS3.AI, the court condemned the lawyer's actions as unethical but opted for a financial penalty instead of imprisonment. This decision has sparked criticism for perceived leniency toward crypto-related offenses. The case underscores ongoing concerns about judicial responses to cryptocurrency-related crimes in South Korea.