Former Star Mobility Chairman Kim Bong-hyun admitted to providing illegal political funds to Ki Dong-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, but Ki once again denied the allegations.
Rep. Ki Dong-min of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was indicted on charges of receiving illegal political funds from former Star Mobility Chairman Kim Bong-hyun. [Image source=Yonhap News]
After the second trial held on the 23rd at the Seoul Southern District Court, presided over by Judge Jung Yu-mi of Criminal Division 11, Ki told reporters, "I cannot admit the charges themselves. I completely disagree as they are based on the thrice-reversed testimony of a criminal," adding, "It is nonsense and all science fiction."
Ki, who is suspected of receiving 10 million won in political funds and a suit worth about 2 million won in exchange for election funds from February to April 2016 during the 20th general election and for facilitating permits related to the Yangjae-dong freight terminal site, was indicted without detention in February on charges of violating the Political Funds Act and bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.
Former Chairman Kim and former Star Mobility CEO Lee Kang-se separately admitted to providing 10 million won in illegal political funds to Ki in their trials for violating the Political Funds Act held on the 7th.
The court plans to finalize the evidence list and confirm the trial schedule by the next hearing, then summon former Chairman Kim and former CEO Lee as witnesses for questioning. The next trial is scheduled for August 11.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
