'Providing Bribes in Lime Case' Lead Vice Chairman Sentenced to 1 Year and 6 Months in First Trial

Accomplice Kim Jeong-su Denies Charges
Court States "Further Evidence Investigation Needed"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Park Mo (43), vice chairman of Kosdaq-listed company Lead, who is accused of providing money and valuables to former Lime Asset Management Vice President Lee Jong-pil and others to receive investments from Lime Asset Management, was sentenced to imprisonment in the first trial.

The Criminal Division 12 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Chief Judge Oh Sang-yong) sentenced Park to 1 year and 6 months in prison on the 16th in the first trial for violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (bribery, etc.).

The court explained the sentencing reason, stating, "The defendant provided a considerable amount of money and valuables or made improper requests to employees of financial companies for Lead's capital procurement. It appears that he enjoyed significant economic benefits through the crime, making punishment commensurate with responsibility inevitable."

Park was indicted on charges of conspiring with Lead Chairman Kim Jeong-su to receive investments from Lime by providing Lee Jong-pil, former vice president, with money, luxury watches, and leased foreign cars, totaling about 1.4 billion won in valuables.

It was also investigated that he gave about 100 million won worth of valuables to former Shinhan Financial Investment Head Im Mo and former Team Leader Shim Mo, respectively.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Park was initially indicted together with Chairman Kim Jeong-su, but since Kim denied the charges, the sentencing on this day was made only for Park.

Chairman Kim denies the charges, stating, "I provided money and valuables to former Vice President Lee and former Team Leader Shim, but there was no quid pro quo."

The court explained, "Chairman Kim was indicted as a co-principal with the defendant, but he is actively denying the charges, so extensive evidence investigation will be necessary in the future."

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