'Bribery' Former Nong-eochon Gongsa President Choi Gyu-seong Sentenced to Prison in First Trial

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Former Korea Rural Community Corporation President Choi Gyu-seong, who received hundreds of millions of won in bribes in exchange for winning solar power and light-emitting diode (LED) lighting business contracts, was sentenced to prison.

The Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 13 (Presiding Judge Shim Jae-hyun) on the 29th sentenced former President Choi, who was detained and indicted on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (bribery), to 1 year and 9 months in prison, a fine of 50 million won, and a fine recovery of about 207 million won.

A, the former head of the Korea Photonics Industry Promotion Association who was accused of conspiring with former President Choi, was sentenced to 3 years in prison, a fine of 50 million won, and a fine recovery of 75 million won.

Three others, including one company official who worked with former President Choi and two businesspeople who gave money or assistance, were each sentenced to prison terms ranging from 6 months to 1 year and 4 months with suspended sentences.

Former President Choi was tried on charges of receiving 620 million won from two companies participating in the Gunsan LED streetlight improvement project bid from February to August 2019 under the pretext of winning the project.

He also received 20 million won from four electric equipment company officials between May and September 2018 related to winning the solar power facility construction project at a reservoir managed by the Rural Community Corporation.

The court stated the sentencing reason, "Former President Choi used his influence to solicit favors and received various rewards, indicating the nature of the crime is serious, making a prison sentence inevitable."

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