Kim Bonghyun, Former Chairman of Star Mobility, Fined 3 Million Won
Prosecutor Na Disciplined by Ministry of Justice, Expressed Intention to Resign Last Month
On June 19, the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Appellate Division 1 (Presiding Judge Kim Sunyeol) sentenced Prosecutor Na to a fine of 10 million won in a retrial on charges of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. Kim Bonghyun and Attorney Lee, who was present at the gathering, were fined 3 million won and 10 million won, respectively.
According to the prosecution, in July 2019, Prosecutor Na allegedly received alcoholic entertainment worth over 1 million won from Kim Bonghyun at an entertainment bar in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Attorney Lee and Kim Bonghyun are accused of providing the entertainment at the gathering.
In the first and second trials, the courts found that the value of the entertainment Prosecutor Na received was less than 1 million won and acquitted him. However, in October of last year, the Supreme Court overturned the lower court's verdict, ruling that the calculation of the entertainment value was incorrect, and remanded the case to the Seoul Southern District Court with a guilty finding.
The Improper Solicitation and Graft Act stipulates that public officials must not receive, request, or promise to receive money or valuables exceeding 1 million won per occasion or 3 million won per fiscal year from the same person, regardless of whether it is related to their official duties or the pretext of donation, sponsorship, or gift.
On May 9, the Ministry of Justice decided to impose a one-month suspension and a disciplinary surcharge of 3.49 million won on Prosecutor Na for damaging the dignity of his office. Two weeks after this decision, Prosecutor Na expressed his intention to resign.
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