'Rhyme Kim Bong-hyun Political Fund Bribery' Lee Sang-ho's Sentence Reduced in 2nd Trial... Prison Term 2 Years → 1 Year 6 Months

Lee Sang-ho, former regional chairman of the Busan Saha-eul district of the Democratic Party of Korea [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Lee Sang-ho, former regional chairman of the Busan Saha-eul district for the Democratic Party of Korea, who was indicted on charges of receiving illegal political funds from Kim Bong-hyun, former chairman of Star Mobility and a key figure in the 'Lime scandal,' was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison in the appellate court, down from 2 years in the first trial.

On the afternoon of the 8th, the Criminal Division 3 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Park Yeon-wook) acquitted Lee of some charges related to breach of trust and violation of the Political Funds Act, sentencing him to 1 year and 6 months in prison. In the first trial, all charges against him were found guilty, and he was sentenced to 2 years in prison with a fine of 30 million KRW.

The court stated, "The defendant, while serving as an auditor of the association, actively demanded benefits by receiving improper requests and asking to resolve losses incurred by his younger brother's investments, making a prison sentence inevitable," but also noted, "It is difficult to conclude solely based on Kim Bong-hyun's testimony that the 30 million KRW was provided for political activities." Furthermore, it added, "It is insufficient to prove that 15 million KRW of the total remittance amount was a reward for improper requests."

Previously, Lee was prosecuted on charges that in 2018, after receiving a request from former chairman Kim to solicit investment from the Construction Mutual Aid Association, he gave 56 million KRW to his younger brother as a reward and also received about 30 million KRW himself.

In court, Lee's defense argued, "The defendant tried to help his younger brother who was distressed due to failed stock investments, and this incident occurred as a result," adding, "When his brother even mentioned extreme measures, the defendant rashly asked Kim Bong-hyun to lend money." They also contended, "Kim Bong-hyun was not even aware that the defendant was the Democratic Party's Busan Saha-eul district chairman," and "the money cannot be considered as provided for political activities."

Meanwhile, Lee is known by the pen name 'Mickey Rourke' from the past 'Association of People Who Love Roh Moo-hyun (Nosamo)' and served as the head of organizational planning for Moon Jae-in's presidential campaign in 2017. He ran for the Busan Saha-eul district seat in last year's general election but was defeated.

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