'Bribery Allegations' KIA Jang Jeong-seok and Kim Jong-guk Deny Charges in First Trial: "Received Money but No Illegal Solicitation"

Former KIA Tigers general manager Jang Jeong-seok (50) and former manager Kim Jong-guk (50), who were indicted on charges of receiving bribes from sponsoring companies, denied all allegations at their first trial.

On the 3rd, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21 (Presiding Judge Heo Kyung-moo) held the first hearing on the charges of breach of trust and bribery against former GM Jang and former manager Kim. Jang's defense attorney claimed, "While we admit to receiving 100 million won together with former manager Kim, it was given as a morale boost to encourage the team to advance to the postseason." Kim's defense attorney also denied all charges, stating, "This was not for advertising sponsorship contracts or any illicit solicitation."

Former KIA Tigers manager Kim Jong-guk (left) and former general manager Jang Jeong-seok, who are suspected of accepting bribes, are entering the Seoul Central District Court last January. (Photo by Yonhap News)

Kim Mo (65), the restaurant business owner who was also indicted for giving money to the two, defended himself by saying, "I have always been an ardent fan of the KIA Tigers. I was introduced to former manager Kim by an acquaintance, and I signed a sponsorship contract with the team to become the main sponsor and to encourage the coaches and players."

Former GM Jang and former manager Kim were indicted in March on charges of receiving a total of 160 million won in exchange for facilitating advertising contracts from July to October 2022 at Kim's request. Jang also faces charges of attempting to demand 200 million won by promising catcher Park Dong-won (currently with the LG Twins), who was about to sign a free agent (FA) contract from May to August 2022, a minimum FA contract worth 1.2 billion won, but the attempt was unsuccessful.

However, at the hearing, the court pointed out regarding the attempted breach of trust charge against former GM Jang, "The elements of the crime of breach of trust include 'illicit solicitation,' but based on the indictment alone, there is no indication of who made what kind of illicit solicitation," and stated, "The indictment must specify this accurately." The prosecution plans to present its opinion at the next hearing scheduled for the 4th of next month.