Prosecution Appeals Kim Yong's 5-Year Prison Sentence: "Sentence Too Light Despite Seriousness of the Case"

The prosecution has appealed the first trial verdict that sentenced Kim Yong, former deputy director of the Democratic Research Institute and close aide to Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, to five years in prison, arguing that the sentence is too lenient.

Former Deputy Director Kim Yong of the Democratic Research Institute, who was prosecuted on charges of receiving illegal election funds and bribes from a private developer in Daejang-dong, is attending the first trial sentencing hearing held on the 30th of last month at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

On the 7th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office announced, "We have filed an appeal against all defendants, including Kim Yong, in the case involving violations of the Political Funds Act related to the 'illegal receipt of funds for Lee Jae-myung's presidential primary campaign'." Kim also submitted an appeal to the court on the 4th. Accordingly, the prosecution and Kim's side will continue their fierce legal battle in the second trial.

The prosecution explained the reason for the appeal, stating, "Although the first trial judged this case as 'mocking local autonomy democracy and seriously damaging the interests of residents and the public nature of local administration,' the sentence is too light considering the gravity of the crime."

They also stated, "The acquittal on some charges of bribery contradicts objective evidence and Supreme Court precedents," adding, "We will correct this in the appellate trial."

The prosecution emphasized, "By abusing local autonomy power as a means for private gain, the corrupt forces caused private contractors to monopolize a significant portion of development profits that should have returned to local residents and the public. We will do our best to maintain the prosecution in the appellate trial to severely punish these corrupt forces."

Earlier, on the 30th of last month, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 23 (Presiding Judge Jo Byung-gu) sentenced Kim, who was indicted on charges of violating the Political Funds Act and bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, to five years in prison, a fine of 70 million won, and ordered the confiscation of 670 million won.

Kim was indicted on charges of conspiring with former Seongnam Urban Development Corporation Planning Director Yoo Dong-gyu and lawyer Jeong Min-yong from April to August 2021, around the time of the Democratic Party presidential primary, to receive a total of 847 million won in four installments from private contractor Nam Wook as presidential campaign funds. He was also charged with receiving bribes totaling 190 million won in four installments from Yoo between February 2013 and April 2014 while serving as a standing member of the Seongnam City Council Urban Construction Committee, in exchange for facilitating the establishment of the corporation and the Daejang-dong development project.

The court recognized as guilty 600 million won of political funds, excluding the amount involved in a 'delivery accident,' and 70 million won in bribes deemed related to his official duties.

Additionally, Nam was sentenced to eight months in prison for illegally delivering political funds to Kim, while Yoo and Jeong were acquitted, with the court ruling that they could not be considered accomplices in the illegal receipt of political funds.

A prosecution official stated, "We believe that Yoo Dong-gyu and Jeong Min-yong should be regarded as accomplices in the 'receipt' alongside Kim Yong," adding, "This issue can be thoroughly contested in the appellate trial."