'Saemangeum Solar Power Scandal': Former Aide to Shin Youngdae Has Sentence Reduced to One Year on Appeal

The former aide of Democratic Party lawmaker Shin Youngdae, who was accused of receiving kickbacks in connection with a bid solicitation for the Saemangeum solar power generation project, received a reduced sentence on appeal.

On April 25, the Seoul Northern District Court Criminal Appeals Division 2 (Presiding Judge Kang Younghun) overturned the first trial's sentence of one year and two months in prison for Jeong, who was charged with aggravated bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, and instead sentenced him to one year in prison.

Jeong was accused of receiving a total of 57.5 million won?20 million won in cash and 37.5 million won disguised as salary?from a broker named Park, in exchange for promising to solicit a public official to help secure a contract for the Saemangeum solar power generation project.

The appellate court found Jeong not guilty of some of the charges, citing reasons such as the lack of direct evidence of receipt for certain amounts.