Prosecutors have demanded a prison sentence of four years for Kang Sun-woo, an independent lawmaker, who was indicted on charges of receiving 100 million Korean won in local election nomination bribes from Kim Kyung, a former Seoul city council member.
During the final hearing for Kang and others’ violation of the Political Funds Act, held on the 16th at the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 1 presided over by Judge Lee Chun-geun, prosecutors requested the court to sentence Kang to four years in prison and confiscate 100 million Korean won. They also sought two years in prison for former council member Kim and one year for Kang’s former aide, Mr. Nam.
Kang and Kim were arrested and indicted in March on charges of exchanging a shopping bag containing 100 million Korean won at the Grand Hyatt Seoul Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, in January 2022. At the time, Kang was affiliated with the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim received a single nomination as a Democratic Party candidate for the city council in Kang’s district, Seoul’s Gangseo-gu, and was elected. Prosecutors also referred Mr. Nam, who arranged the meeting between the two, to trial.
In their final statement, prosecutors stated, “Kang treated public procedures as subjects of financial transactions, undermining public trust in politics,” adding, “If money intervenes in the process of selecting candidates, fair competition opportunities are damaged, and the harm falls on voters.” They further noted, “After receiving the money, Kim was nominated and even helped to win the election,” emphasizing, “The amount involved, 100 million Korean won, was used as a lease deposit, making the nature of the crime more severe.” Regarding Kim and Mr. Nam, they stated, “Kim provided 100 million Korean won hoping for a nomination, and Mr. Nam participated in the crime by arranging the meeting.”
In response, Kang denied the charges, saying, “I deeply regret that the deviant actions of my aide have caused social controversy. As I have stated without reservation to the best of my memory, I have never received any money.”
Former council member Kim stated, “Despite being a politician who should have had stricter morality and law-abiding spirit than anyone else, I am painfully realizing how heavy the price is for violating the law due to momentary complacency and misguided greed. I earnestly request leniency so that I can atone for my sins within society.” Mr. Nam also said, “I have done my best to explain everything since this case began, and I am fully reflecting on my mistakes.”
The sentencing for Kang and others is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on October 14.
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