Broker for 'Saemangeum Solar Power' Solicitation Admits Some Charges in First Trial

Received 62.5 Million Won from Company as Compensation for Project Participation

Broker Park, who is accused of receiving tens of millions of won from a local company for the purpose of solicitation related to winning the Saemangeum solar power project in Gunsan, Jeonbuk, partially admitted to the charges in court.

At the trial held on the afternoon of the 10th, presided over by Judge Heo Myeongsan of the Criminal Division 12 at the Seoul Northern District Court, Park's defense attorney stated, "He admits to some parts but disputes others, claiming that he was not involved in the mediation acts or did not receive any compensation for mediation."

According to the prosecution, Park is accused of soliciting a local electrical construction company, Company A, to include them in the consortium participating in the 'Saemangeum Zone 2 Onshore Solar Power Generation Project' to secure the contract, and receiving 62.5 million won in eight installments from November 2019 to January 2021 (charges of accepting bribes under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes).

The prosecution believes that Park demanded compensation from Company A, claiming he would solicit the Gunsan mayor and others on their behalf.

Park is also accused, along with an acquaintance named Kim, of helping Company A win the contract for the underground transmission line project of the solar power generation project in Eoeun-ri, Okgu-eup, Gunsan City, and receiving 50 million won under the pretext of resolving permit issues through Gunsan city officials during the construction.

Park's side admitted to the fact of promising solicitation but denied the details of the charges as untrue. The defense attorney argued that Park repaid a 50 million won debt owed to the representative of Company A by delivering 40 million won of his own money to Kim, who conspired in the solicitation, as a way to settle the debt.