Former Senior Secretary Jeon Byeongheon for Political Affairs in 'Home Shopping Bribery' Case Reduced to Probation in Second Trial

Jeon Byung-heon, former Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Jeon Byeongheon, former Blue House Senior Secretary for Political Affairs, who was indicted for receiving several hundred million won in bribes through the Korea e-Sports Association and sentenced to imprisonment in the first trial, was given a suspended sentence in the appeal trial.

The Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Junyoung Jeong) held the appeal trial sentencing hearing for former Secretary Jeon on the 15th and sentenced him to 1 year in prison with a 2-year suspension and a fine of 20 million won for charges including bribery and violation of the Political Funds Act. For the charge of embezzlement in the course of duty, he was sentenced to 8 months in prison with a 2-year suspension. Previously, the first trial had sentenced him to 5 years in prison and a fine of 350 million won.

The court acquitted former Secretary Jeon of charges that he pressured Lotte Home Shopping to make a sponsorship payment of 300 million won and that he had the Ministry of Strategy and Finance include a budget of 2 billion won for the promotion of e-sports. However, it found him guilty of receiving a gift card worth approximately 5 million won from Lotte Home Shopping and accepting illegal political funds of 20 million won from the CEO of an e-sports broadcasting company.

The court stated, "Although the nature of the crime is not good and former Secretary Jeon does not admit guilt, considering that he did not actively demand money and made efforts for the development of e-sports."

Earlier, former Secretary Jeon was indicted on charges including demanding that companies such as Lotte Home Shopping sponsor 550 million won to the e-Sports Association while serving as a member of the National Assembly’s Future Creation Science Broadcasting and Communications Committee.