Former High Military Court Chief Lee Dong-ho Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison in First Trial for Bribery Charges

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] Lee Dong-ho, former Chief Judge of the High Military Court, who was arrested and indicted on charges of receiving bribes amounting to 100 million won from a military supply contractor, was sentenced to prison in the first trial.

The Criminal Division 33 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Son Dong-hwan) sentenced Lee, who was tried on charges of bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, to 4 years in prison, a fine of 60 million won, and a confiscation of 94.1 million won.

Lee was indicted on charges of receiving 62.1 million won over several years through a nominee account from Jeong, the CEO of a food processing company that supplied patties and other products to military units, after receiving requests such as "please help with military supply projects."

He is also accused of receiving 38 million won over 4 years from a construction company CEO he met at a volunteer organization in 2016.

Lee denied the charges, claiming "there was no quid pro quo," but the court found most of the charges guilty except for 3 million won of the bribery amount.

Lee was commissioned as a military legal officer in 1995 and was appointed as the Chief Judge of the High Military Court, the highest military judicial authority, two years ago. However, he was dismissed in November last year after an arrest warrant was issued in connection with this case.

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