Over 2 Years of Investigation... 'Kangwon Land Hiring Corruption' Kwon Seong-dong Also Acquitted in Appeal Trial

Court: "Prosecution fails to prove beyond reasonable doubt"
Kwon Seong-dong: "Political oppression against a leading opposition politician"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Kwon Seong-dong, a member of the Liberty Korea Party who was indicted on charges of exerting pressure during the recruitment process at Kangwon Land, was acquitted again in the appellate trial. The court stated, "The prosecution failed to prove the charges to the extent that it excludes the judge's doubt." The prosecution's investigation, which lasted over two years with a special investigation team, ended in a disappointing conclusion.

The 13th Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Koo Hoe-geun) held the appellate trial hearing on the 13th and dismissed the prosecution's appeal, affirming the original verdict of not guilty. The court explained the reason for acquittal, saying, "In criminal trials, the prosecutor ultimately bears the burden of proof," and "the prosecutor failed to prove the charges to the extent that it excludes the judge's reasonable doubt."

Kwon was accused of obstructing business by exerting pressure on the Kangwon Land HR team leader and others to hire 11 people, including an intern secretary from his office, during the Kangwon Land trainee selection process from 2012 to 2013. He was also charged with third-party bribery for allegedly covering up the Board of Audit and Inspection's audit of Kangwon Land in 2013 and placing close associates in Kangwon Land, as well as abuse of authority for exerting external pressure to have a high school classmate appointed as an outside director of Kangwon Land.

The court stated, "The key issue is whether the defendant made a request to former President Choi Heung-jip," and added, "There is no evidence to recognize that an illicit request was exchanged." The court also ruled that the charges of third-party bribery and abuse of authority reached the same conclusion as the first trial. Previously, the first trial acquitted him of all these charges.

This case was triggered in February 2016 when Kangwon Land conducted an internal audit and requested an investigation by the Chuncheon District Prosecutors' Office. The investigation expanded the following year as civic groups raised suspicions of Kwon's involvement. The Supreme Prosecutors' Office even formed a 'Kangwon Land Recruitment Corruption Investigation Team.' However, the investigation faced difficulties as allegations of external pressure on the investigation surfaced, and the court rejected the arrest warrant requested for Kwon.

After many twists and turns, the prosecution indicted Kwon along with former President Choi, the Kangwon Land HR team leader, and Liberty Korea Party member Yeom Dong-yeol. Former President Choi was sentenced to three years in prison in the first trial and is currently undergoing the second trial on appeal. Yeom was sentenced to one year in prison in the first trial last month and has appealed.

After the verdict, Kwon said, "Indiscriminate prosecutions are being carried out against lawmakers critical of the Moon Jae-in administration, and acquittals are being handed down," adding, "This investigation clearly revealed that it was political persecution against a leading opposition politician."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.