[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] In the retrial of advertising director Cha Eun-taek (51), who was indicted for participating in the 'state affairs manipulation' scandal and attempting to seize shares of an advertising company, the prosecution demanded a 5-year prison sentence.
On the 9th, the prosecution requested the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 13 (Presiding Judges Gu Hoe-geun, Lee Jun-young, Choi Seong-bo) to sentence Cha to 5 years in prison during the retrial sentencing hearing for charges including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (embezzlement).
Previously, the prosecution had also demanded a 5-year prison sentence in Cha's second trial.
In his final statement, Cha pleaded for leniency, saying, "The one year I spent with people I met by chance erased my entire life filled with passion. I ask for your broad mercy and tolerance."
Cha's defense attorney also appealed, stating, "Cha deeply regrets causing a great national scandal and is reflecting on his actions during his imprisonment. Please give him a chance to return to society normally and contribute once again with a repentant heart."
Cha was indicted on charges of attempting to forcibly acquire shares by pressuring the representative of an advertising company selected as the preferred negotiator when POSCO tried to sell its affiliate advertising company Foreca in 2015, but the attempt failed.
He also faces charges of colluding with former President Park Geun-hye and former Blue House Policy Coordination Secretary Ahn Jong-beom to have KT hire his acquaintances and to have an advertising company established by Choi Seo-won (formerly Choi Soon-sil) selected as an advertising agency, as well as embezzling about 2 billion won of company funds.
The first and second trials sentenced Cha to 3 years in prison.
However, the Supreme Court ruled that the second trial's guilty verdict on the coercion charge was incorrect and remanded the case to the Seoul High Court.
Cha's retrial sentencing will be announced on the 14th of next month.
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