Police Officer Who Took Bribes and Covered Up Case Receives Suspended Sentence on Appeal

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hyowon] A police officer who was dismissed for accepting bribes in exchange for covering up a case received a suspended prison sentence in the appellate trial, following the first trial.

The Criminal Division 1 of the Gwangju High Court (Presiding Judges Lee Seungcheol, Shin Yongho, Kim Jinwhan) on the 26th dismissed the prosecutor's appeal in the appellate trial of former police officer A from the Gwangju Dongbu Police Station, who was indicted on charges including bribery and misconduct, and sentenced him to 10 months in prison with a 2-year suspension, the same as the first trial.

In the first trial, A was also ordered to pay a fine of 5 million won, a confiscation of 2.5 million won, and 120 hours of community service. B, the operator of the coin karaoke who gave the bribe to A, was also sentenced to 6 months in prison with a 2-year suspension.

A was indicted for receiving 2.5 million won in cash in May last year in exchange for covering up a theft incident that occurred at a coin karaoke in Dong-gu, Gwangju, and improperly closing the investigation.

B was investigated to have requested A’s favor, sympathizing with the circumstances of an employee who stole a customer's wallet. A instructed the related parties to change their mobile phones and falsified official documents. After allegations of misconduct arose, the police conducted an on-site investigation and dismissed A.

The court stated, "The defendants exchanged money as a bribe to cover up the case, which is a serious offense. Considering that all defendants admitted their crimes and showed remorse, as well as their circumstances of raising young children, it is difficult to see that the original sentence exceeded a reasonable range."