A former local council member has been sentenced to prison for accepting over 100 million won in exchange for promising eligibility as a proportional representative candidate for the National Assembly upon payment of a special party membership fee.
On July 21, the Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 13 (Presiding Judge Bae Eunchang) announced that it had sentenced Mr. A (71), who was indicted on charges including fraud under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, to four years in prison.
Mr. A, a four-term district council member, was indicted for receiving 300 million won from Mr. B in March 2023, during the 22nd National Assembly election, under the pretense of helping Mr. B be recommended as a proportional representative candidate, claiming it was a special party membership fee.
Later, when Mr. B requested a receipt, Mr. A was also charged with receiving an additional 1,208 million won under the pretense of investment funds and referral fees, claiming he would generate 2 billion won in profits through a business supplying goods to US Forces Korea.
Both Mr. A and Mr. B are members of the People Power Party. Mr. B also has experience as a local council member and has previously run for the head of a local government.
The court stated, "The defendant deceived the victim and embezzled a large sum of money, refused to cooperate with the investigation, and delayed the proceedings. The damage has not been recovered, and the defendant does not show remorse for the crime." However, the court added, "Consideration was given to the significant degree of fault on the part of the victim, who has political experience."
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