On the 17th, acquitted of bribery in the first trial
Appeal filed against former KT Chairman Lee Seok-chae
Appeal submitted to Seoul Southern District Court on the 21st
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The prosecution has appealed the first-instance court ruling that acquitted Kim Sung-tae, a member of the Liberty Korea Party.
According to the court on the 23rd, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office reportedly submitted an appeal to the Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Chief Judge Shin Hyuk-jae) on the 21st.
The first-instance court on the 17th acquitted Kim, who was on trial for bribery charges related to his daughter's illicit recruitment at KT. The court also found former KT Chairman Lee Seok-chae, who was co-indicted on bribery charges, not guilty.
At that time, the court acknowledged that "Kim Sung-tae's daughter received preferential treatment over other applicants in securing employment," but questioned the credibility of Seo Yoo-yeol, former head of KT Home Customer Division and a key prosecution witness, and thus acquitted Kim.
The court explained, "According to the court-ordered card financial transaction information, the defendants' schedule notebooks recorded a meeting at a restaurant in Yeouido on May 14, 2009," and "it is also confirmed that a payment was made on that day using former Seo Yoo-yeol's corporate card."
It added, "Former Seo testified that there was only one dinner meeting," and "he also testified that he personally paid the meal expenses, so it is reasonable to conclude that the dinner took place on May 14, 2009."
Since 2009 was when Kim's daughter was a junior in university, it was before her contract employment at KT. Therefore, the court judged that there could not have been any conversation requesting a transition to a regular position, which was the basis of the allegation that Kim had made a request.
Meanwhile, immediately after the acquittal, Kim stated, "This case began as a political retaliation in the 'Kim Sung-tae killing' stemming from the Druking special prosecutor investigation, as part of a political plot for a close aide's uncontested entry into the constituency," and added, "The court has revealed the substantive truth."
He continued, "Through seven months of intensive investigation and six months of trial, the prosecution tried every possible means and method to punish me," and "Therefore, the prosecution will likely find no special reason to appeal."
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