Aide to Lawmaker Accused of Bribery in Subsidy Lobbying Case Requests Bail

"No Risk of Evidence Destruction... Please Guarantee the Right to Defense," Argues Legal Team

Aide A, who has been indicted and detained on charges of accepting bribes in exchange for lobbying for national subsidy projects, has requested to stand trial without detention.

On June 13, the 11th Criminal Division of the Gwangju District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Songhyun) held a bail hearing for A, who has been indicted and detained on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (bribery).

A serves as an aide to a Democratic Party lawmaker representing a district in South Jeolla Province and is accused of receiving 100 million won in cash from a local business operator in exchange for lobbying for a subsidy project. The business operator who offered the bribe is currently standing trial without detention.

A's legal team argued, "There is no risk of evidence destruction as witness examinations have concluded, and neither the amount nor the nature of consent has been clearly proven," and requested bail. They also stated, "Please guarantee the defendant's right to defense as a public official." Prosecutors countered, "The grounds for detention have already been established during the trial process." The next hearing is scheduled for the morning of July 23.