Hong Moon-jong Sentenced to 4 Years in First Trial for Embezzlement and Breach of Trust Involving 7.5 Billion Won... Avoids Immediate Imprisonment

Former Assemblyman Hong Moon-jong [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Former lawmaker Hong Moon-jong, who was indicted on charges including embezzling about 7.5 billion KRW of private school foundation funds, was sentenced to four years in prison in the first trial.

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21 (Presiding Judge Kim Miri) sentenced Hong to one year in prison for bribery charges and three years in prison for embezzlement and other charges on the same day. However, the court stated, "There is no risk of flight, and to give an opportunity to contest through appeal, he will not be detained in court."

Hong, who was a member of the National Assembly under the Liberty Korea Party, the predecessor of the People Power Party, was indicted for receiving bribes of about 100 million KRW, including car lease fees, from IT company representatives from June 2013 to September 2014 under the pretext of lobbying related government ministries. He is also charged with breach of trust and embezzlement of 7.5 billion KRW of school funds, including arbitrarily using 2.4 billion KRW of school funds spent on purchasing calligraphy and paintings during his tenure as chairman of Kyungmin Academy and president of Kyungmin University.

The court recognized Hong’s guilt for embezzlement charges involving about 5 billion KRW and bribery charges for receiving a luxury vehicle from an IT company official. It also found him guilty of falsely representing the nominal head of Kyungmin International Christian School, which was operated without official approval, as the actual operator to avoid punishment when the police cracked down. However, he was acquitted of charges related to receiving 30 million KRW in cash and herbal medicine from an IT official and other embezzlement and breach of trust charges due to insufficient evidence.

Immediately after the sentencing, Hong said, "The prosecution made absurd claims even though I never received money, and the verdict was completely unexpected," adding, "I will appeal."

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