Former Miryang Mayor Park Ilho Acquitted of Bribery Charges in First Trial ... "Justice Prevails" (Comprehensive)

Former Mayor Park Ilho of Miryang City, Gyeongnam Province, is speaking to the press about the verdict and future plans after being acquitted in the first trial on charges of bribery. Photo by Lee Seryung

Park Ilho, former mayor of Miryang City, Gyeongnam Province, who was put on trial for allegedly receiving hundreds of millions of won from the head of an apartment construction company during his term, was acquitted in the first trial.

The 4th Criminal Division of the Changwon District Court (Presiding Judge Kim In-taek, Judges Kang Woong and Won Boram) held a trial on the afternoon of January 8 regarding the bribery charges against the former mayor and delivered this verdict.

The court also acquitted Mr. A, the head of the apartment construction company who was accused of delivering the bribe to the former mayor.

According to the court, during his term in 2018, former Mayor Park was accused of receiving 200 million won from Mr. A, the head of the apartment construction company, in exchange for waiving the obligation to create a small park.

Previously, during the sentencing hearing on December 15 last year, the prosecution requested the court to sentence the former mayor to 10 years in prison, a fine of 400 million won, and forfeiture of 200 million won.

The court stated, "There are inconsistencies regarding the timing of the alleged bribe delivery to the former mayor, the source of the 200 million won, and the way the bundles of cash were tied. It is also unreasonable to believe that the defendant, while serving as mayor, would receive a bribe in a public place in broad daylight."

The court further explained, "There is no objective evidence that Mr. A prepared 200 million won in cash, making it difficult to believe. In addition, the testimonies of the witnesses either lack evidentiary value or are insufficient to acknowledge the prosecution's claims."

Additionally, the court added, "It is insufficient to conclude that Mr. A deceived the construction company into believing he had carried out or would carry out the small park construction, or that the construction company was misled by such claims."

After the verdict, former Mayor Park told reporters in front of the courthouse, "Saphilgwijung" (meaning "all things eventually return to the right path").

Having claimed to be the victim of a 'political smear campaign' while running for the National Assembly, former Mayor Park remarked that the prosecution's indictment was excessive. When asked if he considered the charges to be politically motivated complaints or accusations, he replied, "Yes."

However, he added, "Since the appeals process remains, I will monitor the proceedings and respond accordingly as the situation develops."

Former Mayor Park also said, "I am relieved and grateful to be able to share this good news with the citizens of Miryang, who have been deeply concerned."