'Bribery Charges' Former Daegu Deputy Mayor Kim Yeon-chang Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison and Detained in Court

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] Former Daegu Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs Kim Yeon-chang, who was indicted on charges of accepting bribes from a wind power company during his tenure (violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes), was sentenced to five years in prison.

The 11th Criminal Division of the Daegu District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Sang-yoon) sentenced former Deputy Mayor Kim to five years in prison, a fine of 110 million won, and a confiscation of 10.48 million won on the 10th. After delivering the verdict, the court revoked Kim’s bail and ordered his detention in court.

Former Deputy Mayor Kim was brought to trial in June last year on charges of receiving about 100 million won from Mr. A, a representative of a wind power company in Gyeongbuk, as a bribe for facilitating business related to the fuel cell project promoted by Daegu City during his tenure.

The court stated, "The 100 million won given by Mr. A to the defendant was partly a reward for helping the wind power project before the deputy mayor’s appointment, but it is also judged to be a quid pro quo for receiving convenience during the fuel cell permit process and securing the project site."

Since Daegu City, where the defendant served as Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs, expressed a positive opinion on the fuel cell project during the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s review, it is reasonable to see a quid pro quo relationship between the bribe and the official duties.

However, the court acquitted Kim of charges related to third-party bribery, specifically the allegation that Mr. A employed Kim’s relative, Mr. B, at his fuel cell company as a reward for facilitating business.

The court noted, "Although Mr. B actually went to work at the company, accompanied visits to the project site, and attended meetings with city hall and public enterprise officials, considering that Mr. B received a salary higher than what he earned at his previous job from Mr. A’s company, the prosecution’s claim that this salary was excessive is difficult to accept."

Regarding sentencing, the court explained, "The defendant damaged the integrity and social trust of Daegu City’s renewable energy duties, and since he denies all charges, a corresponding severe punishment is inevitable. However, considering his lack of prior criminal record and his diligent service as a national public official, the sentence was determined."

Earlier, at the sentencing hearing in December last year, the prosecution had requested a 10-year prison term, a fine of 218.96 million won, and a confiscation of 10.48 million won for former Deputy Mayor Kim.

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