The prosecution requested a 12-year prison sentence for former Seoul Yongsan Tax Office chief Yoon Woo-jin, who was indicted on charges of accepting bribes worth approximately 500 million won in exchange for facilitating tax-related services.
On the 11th, the 27th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Woo In-seong) held the final hearing for Yoon, who was tried on charges including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (bribery).
On that day, the prosecution stated, "The defendant denies the crime during the investigation and trial stages, and given the substantial amount and duration of the bribery, the case is serious," and requested the court to sentence him to 12 years in prison, impose a fine of 2 billion won, and confiscate approximately 530 million won.
In his closing argument, Yoon’s defense attorney argued that the investigation was conducted after a change in administration regarding a case that had already been dismissed without indictment, and that the statute of limitations had already expired, so a dismissal verdict should be rendered. He added, "Even if the court makes a substantive judgment, the bribery charge does not hold as there is no connection to official duties or quid pro quo," and requested consideration of Yoon’s age of 70 and his deteriorating health due to the pressure of the trial process, even if some guilt is acknowledged.
Previously, Yoon was indicted in December 2021 on charges of pocketing 200 million won from a tax accountant and a meat importer under the pretext of providing convenience in tax affairs. In May 2022, the prosecution applied to amend the indictment to include additional related offenses under the principle of continuous crime, adding 329 million won in bribes, increasing the total bribery amount to 529 million won.
The court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on former chief Yoon on June 20.
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