Shim Hyung-rae, the director of “Yonggary,” released in the U.S. under the title “Reptilian” in 2001, was sentenced to 10 months in prison with a two-year reprieve Wednesday for not paying studio staff’s wages.

A criminal court in Seoul also ordered the 55-year-old to fulfill 80 hours of community service.

On Dec. 18, 2011, his film studio, Young-gu Art Entertainment, lost a civil suit brought by all 43 employees seeking 891.53 million won in unpaid salaries and severance allowance.

“Twenty four employees retracted their demand to punish Shim as they settled with him. Still, the 259 million won in losses to the remaining 19 workers remains unsettled,” Yonhap news agency quoted the court judge as saying. “Shim should understand the stress they must have undergone over back pay for six or seven months.”

“I am sorry for raising a scandal. I will try hard to make a successful comeback and repay the back wages as soon as possible,” Shim told reporters after the ruling.

He also said he would appeal the ruling.

By Chun Sung-woo (swchun@heraldcorp.com)