'Prosecutor Kim Bong-hyun's Alcohol Entertainment' Hospitality Amount Over and Under 1 Million Won - Legal Dispute

Truth Behind the 5.36 Million Won Bar Receipt
Dispute Over Additional Attendees at the Drinking Party
Third Trial Witness Examination Including Lee Jong-pil

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A current prosecutor and others who were indicted on charges of receiving alcohol entertainment from former Star Mobility Chairman Kim Bong-hyun, a key figure in the Lime Asset Management scandal, admitted attending the drinking party but maintained that they are not subject to punishment.

On the 7th, Judge Park Young-soo of the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 11 held the second trial session for Prosecutor Na Mo, lawyer Lee Mo, a former prosecutor, and former Chairman Kim, who were indicted for violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act (Anti-Graft Act).

This trial session was the first since the presiding judge changed due to circumstances after the first trial on October. On this day, Prosecutor Na and lawyer Lee’s side acknowledged attending the drinking party as before but stated their position that the amount of entertainment did not exceed 1 million won per person, thus claiming innocence regarding the charges.

Regarding the truth of the 5.36 million won listed on the receipt from the drinking party, a dispute continued between the prosecution and the defense. The prosecution argued, "The amount listed on the receipt is 5.36 million won, and there is no evidence of any discount, so 5.36 million won is correct," adding, "Although no check was issued on the day, we consider the receipt amount was paid and judge that it is proven solely by the receipt."

On the other hand, lawyer Lee’s side rebutted, "Mr. A consistently stated from the investigative agency to the recent court that discounts were customary, and the materials we submitted show conversations about discounts given to many customers," adding, "There is no evidence of the actual amount paid."

Claims also conflicted over whether former Blue House administrator Kim Mo and former Lime Vice President Lee Jong-pil attended the drinking party. Prosecutor Na and lawyer Lee’s side argued that including former administrator Kim and former VP Lee, the entertainment amount did not exceed 1 million won per occasion.

However, the prosecution claimed that former VP Lee visited the entertainment establishment but stayed in a different room and did not drink alcohol, and that it is unclear whether former administrator Kim was at the entertainment establishment on the day of the incident.

Judge Park announced that former VP Lee will be summoned as a witness and questioned at the third trial session scheduled for February 22 next year. Former administrator Kim is also expected to be called as a witness later.

Meanwhile, Prosecutor Na and lawyer Lee were brought to trial on charges of receiving entertainment worth over 1 million won each from former Chairman Kim at an entertainment establishment in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on July 18, 2019. Former Chairman Kim is accused of providing entertainment by attending the long drinking party.

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