[ by Melanie Gretchen ] A registered rep with Etech Securities, who was the broker of record for accounts of Korean speaking customers at that firm's L.A. branch office, was charged with reckless endangerment of customers permitting a non-registered person to substitute for him (as a registered rep) while he was out of the country scouting business opportunities for Etech. The Broker. Sung Hyun Min first became registered as a Series 7 in October 2001.  He joined Etech Securities, Inc. as a broker in August 2004 and remained with them until May 2009. FINRA Findings and Allegations. Between September 2004 and May 2009, Min was associated with Etech and he was the broker of record for accounts of Korean speaking customersthat were opened at Etech's L.A. branch office to conduct online trading.  A non-registered person worked as Min's business partner to manage all information technology aspects of Etech's online trading system for that branch office.  As part of his job duties, JWS assisted Etech's customers with downloading the online trading system, setting up online customer accounts, and interfacing with Etech's clearing firm to download reports regarding customer transactions executed through the online trading system. Beginning in May 2007, Min moved to Korea on a permanent basis in order to pursue investment banking opportunities for Etech, and to explore other job opportunities.  It was through December 2007, while Min was in Korea, that Min left JWS to service all of his customer accounts. Min was aware that the individual was accepting and processing unsolicited customer orders by Etech's customers. What he didn't know, however, was that in November and December 2007, the assistant executed 586 unauthorized transactions in an account in which Min was the broker of record - resulting in $60K kof losses. FINRA Sanctions. Min accepted a $5K fine and 30-day suspension. For further details, go to [FINRA AWC #2009018463301]. [Disciplinary Actions for February 2012]