Employee of 5·18 Archives Embezzling Budget Denies Charges in First Trial

An employee of the 5·18 Democratic Movement Archives who used part of the event budget for personal purposes denied the charges at the first trial.

Judge Kim Ji-yeon of the Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 6 held the first trial on the 8th for Mr. A, who was indicted on charges of breach of trust in the course of duty.

Mr. A was brought to trial on charges of personally using about 1.6 million won from the 5·18 event budget several times between May and June last year.

Mr. A prepaid tens of thousands of won at several restaurants near the 5·18 Archives under the name of meal expenses for event attendees, used only part of it, or submitted receipts by pretending to have had meals.

Using this method, he enjoyed private gatherings by drinking wine with acquaintances on holidays at the prepaid restaurants.

He also included personal items when purchasing supplies at large marts located in Nam-gu and Dong-gu.

Mr. A’s defense attorney stated, "We acknowledge the fact that meals were prepaid at restaurants using the corporate card," but argued, "This was not an act intended for embezzlement."

He added, "Even if the facts of the indictment are acknowledged, the actual amount embezzled by the defendant is about 600,000 won."

The next trial will be held on September 6 in the same courtroom. Mr. A had received a summary order for a fine of 1 million won, but appealed and converted it to a formal trial.

Meanwhile, after being dismissed from his job, he filed a review request with the Gwangju City Appeal Review Committee claiming the disciplinary action was excessive, and received a reduced punishment of a three-month suspension.