Demanded 4 Million Won from Landowner Facing Expropriation
Sentenced to 5 Months in Prison, 8 Million Won Fine... Dismissed from LH
A former athlete who won medals at the Asian Games and later joined a public corporation after retirement has been convicted on charges of soliciting bribes.
On May 15, Chief Judge Ji Hyesun of the Gwangju District Court's Criminal Division 5 sentenced former Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) employee A (44) to five months in prison, suspended for two years, along with a fine of 8 million won and 80 hours of community service, for charges of soliciting bribes.
The court stated, "The defendant, as an executive or employee of a public corporation, demanded money from a petitioner, which undermined the integrity and fairness of public duties. The gravity of the offense is not minor."
In 2023, while working at LH, A was responsible for matters related to a land dispute in the Sorasanjee District of Iksan, North Jeolla Province. During this period, A was indicted for demanding 4 million won from a landowner subject to expropriation, under the pretext of delaying compulsory execution. Although no money was actually received, the court determined that the act of solicitation alone was sufficient for punishment.
Previously, A had competed as a wrestler for LH, participating in the Asian Games twice and winning both a gold and a silver medal. Based on international competition results, A was recruited by LH after retirement. However, it was revealed that A, suffering from gambling-related debts, demanded money from a petitioner related to work.
As a result of this incident, A was dismissed from LH and has currently filed an administrative appeal against the dismissal.
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