Democratic Party lawmaker No Woong-rae has denied allegations that he received bribes and political funds worth tens of millions of won, stating that "the prosecution has made a wrong assumption."
After attending a trial presided over by Judge Lee Hwan-gi of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 4 on the morning of the 9th, No told reporters, "I am not someone who takes bribes. Once the trial fully begins, the biased investigation by the political prosecution and the fabricated investigation due to opposition party suppression will be revealed in detail."
No was indicted without detention on charges of receiving a total of 60 million won in five installments from businessman Park, under the pretext of facilitating logistics center permits, power plant supply projects, and solar power projects from February to December 2020.
He said, "If money was actually given to me, the female professor who supposedly gave it would be charged with bribery and violations of the Political Funds Act, but the prosecution has neither indicted nor booked her," adding, "What kind of investigation is it when they decide the conclusion beforehand and try to label me a criminal?" The female professor mentioned by No is known to be the wife of businessman Park, who acted as a 'messenger.'
Regarding the cash bundles worth about 300 million won found at his residence, No said, "The prosecution tried to reveal something, but since it was not part of the charges, it turned out not to be illicit money," and added, "Isn't there no reason to talk about matters related to my private life?"
Although the trial on that day was a preparatory hearing where the defendant's attendance was not mandatory, No attended.
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