Prosecution Seeks 6-Month Prison Sentence for Two Current and Former Prosecutors in Kim Bong-hyun Drinking Entertainment Allegation

Prosecutors: "Receiving Alcohol Entertainment from a Suspect in a Massive Financial Fraud Shocks the Public"
Defendants Claim Innocence... "It Was a Social Gathering with Juniors, Not an Entertainment Event"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The prosecution has requested a six-month prison sentence for former and current prosecutors involved in the 'alcohol entertainment suspicion' case related to former Star Mobility Chairman Kim Bong-hyun.

At the sentencing hearing held on the 9th under the presiding of Judge Park Young-soo of the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 11, the prosecution requested a six-month prison sentence for former prosecutor-turned-lawyer Lee and prosecutor Na, as well as former Chairman Kim, who were indicted for violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act (Anti-Graft Act). Additionally, the prosecution requested a confiscation of 1.14 million KRW from prosecutor Na, calculated as entertainment expenses.

The prosecution argued, "This case, where active prosecutors received alcohol entertainment from a person identified as the mastermind of a massive financial fraud at a high-end room salon, has shocked the public greatly," and "The defendants deny the charges by suggesting possibilities such as the alcohol bill might have been discounted or that Lee Jong-pil (former Vice President of Lime Asset Management) and Kim (former Blue House administrator) might have been present at the drinking party, but these claims are clearly refuted by the receipt showing the alcohol bill and the testimonies of the parties involved."

In response, lawyer Lee and prosecutor Na pleaded not guilty and appealed for leniency.

In his final statement, lawyer Lee emphasized, "The drinking party was not an entertainment event hosted by Kim Bong-hyun but a social gathering with juniors unrelated to Lime," and "It is a clear fact that former Vice President Lee and former administrator Kim were present."

Prosecutor Na also said, "The investigation into the Lime case may seem insufficient or poorly conducted to the public, but internally we worked very hard, and in the process of verifying important suspects and politicians, I deeply regret that my wrongful actions caused my juniors to be unfairly judged and criticized."

Na's defense attorney added in the closing argument, "While acknowledging that the behavior was inappropriate for an active prosecutor, it is hard to endure the stigma and label of 'Lime alcohol entertainment prosecutor,'" and "At least in this court, I hope there will be a foundation for the defendant to restore his honor in the future."

Lawyer Lee, prosecutor Na, and others were brought to trial on charges of receiving alcohol entertainment worth approximately 5.36 million KRW at a room salon in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on July 18, 2019.

When indicting them in December 2020, the prosecution calculated the entertainment expenses per person by dividing the total alcohol bill of 5.36 million KRW minus 550,000 KRW for band and hostess costs by the five participants, resulting in about 960,000 KRW per person.

Later, by adding the band and hostess tip costs divided by three, the prosecution estimated the entertainment expenses for the three indicted individuals at 1.14 million KRW each. Two prosecutors who left the drinking party before the band and hostesses arrived were excluded from indictment, as their entertainment expenses were calculated at about 960,000 KRW each.

The defendants have argued that the total number of attendees, including former Lime Vice President Lee Jong-pil and former Blue House administrator Kim, was seven, and calculating the entertainment expenses per person based on this number results in an amount under 1 million KRW, which is not punishable under the Anti-Graft Act.

The trial focused on issues such as whether former administrator Kim and former Vice President Lee attended, the exact ending time of the drinking party, and the precise amount of the alcohol bill paid by former Chairman Kim. Former administrator Kim denied attending altogether, while former Vice President Lee stated that he was present briefly but did not drink alcohol.

The sentencing trial is scheduled for 2 p.m. on the 16th of next month.