Former Chinese Justice Minister Sentenced to Life in First Trial for 20 Billion Won Bribery

Tang Yijun, the former Minister of Justice of China, who was indicted on charges of accepting bribes worth over 20 billion won in Korean currency, was sentenced to life imprisonment in the first trial.

On February 2, according to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency and others, the Intermediate People's Court in Xiamen, Fujian Province, sentenced Tang Yijun, who was charged with bribery, to life imprisonment, stripped him of his political rights for life, and ordered the confiscation of all his personal assets.

The court also decided to recover Tang Yijun's criminal proceeds and related interest to the national treasury.

The court found that between 2006 and 2022, while holding key positions in Zhejiang Province, Liaoning Province, and the Ministry of Justice, Tang Yijun used his official authority and influence to assist others in business operations and case handling, receiving 137 million yuan (approximately 28.6 billion won) in bribes.

The court stated, "The amount of bribes received is large and has caused significant losses to the interests of the state and the people," adding, "He must be severely punished in accordance with the law."

However, the court added, "The sentence was determined in consideration of the fact that he confessed to his crimes and actively returned the illicit gains."

Tang Yijun worked with President Xi Jinping when Xi served in Zhejiang Province and was once considered part of Xi's close circle. When President Xi served as Deputy Party Secretary and Party Secretary of Zhejiang Province from 2002 to 2007, Tang Yijun held positions such as Party Secretary of Ningbo City.

Afterward, Tang Yijun served as Governor of Liaoning Province and Minister of Justice, rising to the national stage. However, in April 2024, he was investigated by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission on suspicion of serious violations of law. In November of the same year, he was subjected to "Shuangkai" (expulsion from the Communist Party and dismissal from public office), losing both his party membership and official positions.