Kim Bonghyun, former chairman of Star Mobility and a key figure in the Lime Asset Management scandal, who was put on trial for allegedly providing illegal political funds to current and former politicians, was acquitted in the first trial.
On December 17, Judge Seo Youngwoo of the 12th Criminal Division of the Seoul Southern District Court acquitted both former Chairman Kim and Lee Kangse, former CEO of Star Mobility, who had been indicted on charges of violating the Political Funds Act. Previously, at the sentencing hearing held last month, prosecutors had requested eight months in prison for both individuals.
The court stated, "The direct evidence for the charges in this case is the testimony, but Kim Bonghyun's statements changed several times from the investigative stage to the courtroom," and added, "Much of Kim Bonghyun's testimony is based on notes he wrote in his own notebook, which are difficult to fully trust."
The court further noted that it had taken into account the fact that Ki Dongmin, former lawmaker of the Democratic Party, Lee Sujin, lawmaker of the Democratic Party, Kim Youngchun, former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, and Kim, a former parliamentary candidate-all of whom had been indicted on charges of receiving funds from the two-were acquitted.
Former Chairman Kim and former CEO Lee were indicted on charges of providing a total of 160 million won in political funds to former lawmaker Ki, lawmaker Lee, former Minister Kim, and candidate Kim ahead of the 20th National Assembly election in 2016.
Meanwhile, former lawmaker Ki, lawmaker Lee, former Minister Kim, and candidate Kim were all acquitted in the first trial on September 1. At the time, the court stated, "It is difficult to consider the main evidence presented by the prosecution, including Kim Bonghyun's testimony and his notebook, as credible."
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