Prosecutors Seek 4-Year Prison Term for Rep. Kang Seon-woo Over 100 Million Won Bribe
Prosecutors on the 16th sought a four-year prison term and forfeiture of 100 million won for independent Rep. Kang Seon-woo, indicted on charges of receiving 100 million won in exchange for a party nomination (violation of the Political Funds Act), at his first-trial closing hearing. The hearing was held before Judge Lee Choon-geun of the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 1. Prosecutors also sought two years in prison for former Seoul city council member Kim Kyeong and one year for Nam, a former aide to Rep. Kang, who were tried alongside him.
Prosecutors characterized the case as a crime in which large sums of money were exchanged in return for endorsing a public office candidate. "A party nomination is an important process for selecting candidates to represent the people, but when money gets involved, candidates are not guaranteed fair opportunities, which ultimately also affects voters' choices," prosecutors pointed out. Their position is that the defendant undermined public trust in the party nomination process.
"Rep. Kang received 100 million won in his capacity as a district party chairman, and former council member Kim was subsequently nominated as a single candidate and elected to the Seoul Metropolitan Council," prosecutors said. "Given that the amount received reached 100 million won and was actually used for lease contracts and the like, the crime is very grave," they added.
Regarding Rep. Kang in particular, prosecutors said, "He initially admitted to some facts early in the investigation but later claimed he had done so under pressure from investigators, shifting responsibility onto Nam and former council member Kim," adding, "He must bear strict responsibility commensurate with receiving and using the money from a position where he could influence nominations." By contrast, for former council member Kim and Nam, prosecutors explained that the sentences sought took into account that they "acknowledged the crime and are reflecting on it, and did not directly benefit."
Rep. Kang was indicted in custody last March. He is accused of meeting former council member Kim at a hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on January 7, 2022, ahead of the local elections, and receiving 100 million won in exchange for the nomination. At the time, Rep. Kang, then a member of the Democratic Party, represented Gangseo-gu, Seoul, and served as a nomination management committee member for Seoul city council candidates. Former council member Kim was nominated as the Democratic Party's single candidate in Gangseo-gu and won the seat.
During the trial, Nam, who arranged the meeting, and former council member Kim admitted to all charges. Rep. Kang, however, has denied all charges, acknowledging that he met Kim at the hotel but insisting he never received a shopping bag containing 100 million won.
During questioning in court on the day, Rep. Kang claimed, "A police officer told me, 'If you admit to what we ask, we will ensure you can at least maintain the dignity befitting a member of the National Assembly.'" A police officer who took part in the investigation of Rep. Kang appeared in court and countered, "I never said anything like that, and I have no memory of hearing anyone else say such a thing."
