Yoon Kwanseok, former independent lawmaker who was indicted on charges of accepting bribes worth approximately 20 million won in exchange for legislative lobbying, was acquitted in the first trial.
On April 30, the 27th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Woo Inseong) acquitted Yoon on charges of bribery and third-party bribery. The court stated, "While there is a possibility that guilt could be recognized, the evidence submitted by the prosecution alone is insufficient to conclude that the defendant recognized the money as a bribe provided in exchange for legislative lobbying related to his duties as a lawmaker, beyond simply having a friendly relationship."
Yoon was brought to trial on charges of receiving a total of approximately 22.7 million won in cash and entertainment from Song, the head of a bathroom fixtures manufacturing company, after being lobbied to help with amendments to laws and regulations related to water-saving equipment. According to prosecutors, between June 2017 and March 2023, Yoon received a total of 6.5 million won in donations for assisting with amendments to laws and presidential decrees that benefited Song's business activities, and also arranged for 8.5 million won in donations to be made to 12 Democratic Party lawmakers with whom he was personally acquainted. Prosecutors also allege that Yoon had Song pay for his membership golf club fees on 11 occasions, totaling about 7.7 million won, and was provided with opportunities to use the same golf club 16 times.
Meanwhile, Yoon was separately indicted on charges of receiving 60 million won from campaign officials ahead of the Democratic Party convention, with the intention of distributing the money to incumbent lawmakers to support the election of former Democratic Party leader Song Younggil. In October last year, the Supreme Court upheld a two-year prison sentence for Yoon on these charges.
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