'Violation of Political Funds Act' Kang In-gyu, Mayor of Naju's Son, Admits Charges in First Trial

Allegations of Giving 'Hundred-Million-Won Gifts' to Constituents

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Kang In-gyu, the son of Naju Mayor Kang In-gyu, who was indicted for distributing gifts worth hundreds of millions of won to constituents using corporate funds, has admitted to the charges.

The 12th Criminal Division of the Gwangju District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Hye-seon) held the first trial on the 11th for Kang and three others who were indicted and detained on charges including violation of the Political Funds Act.

Kang and his associate Jeong were prosecuted for using corporate funds between September and October 2017, ahead of the 7th local elections, to distribute red ginseng worth approximately 141 million won as holiday gifts to constituents and party members to support the re-election of Naju Mayor Kang In-gyu.

Under the Political Funds Act, corporations are prohibited from donating political funds.

Jeong, who was in charge of overall operations at the election camp at the time, is also accused of receiving financial benefits equivalent to a salary of 15 million won by requesting businessman Lim (co-defendant) to dispatch an employee responsible for computer work.

Lim, a Naju City Hall official, is accused of soliciting 234 people, including constituents, to join the Democratic Party by October last year ahead of the 8th local elections, at Kang’s request to secure favorable party members.

Kang’s defense attorney shifted stance in court on the day, admitting the charges after consistently denying them during the investigation.

However, Jeong’s side stated, "We generally acknowledge the facts," but denied some charges on the grounds that "we did not know the source of the gift sets," and announced they would clarify their position in detail at the next hearing, signaling a legal dispute with the prosecution.

Lim, the public official, rebutted by saying, "I never directly recruited nor instructed a third party to recruit," while businessman Lim admitted to the charges.

The next trial is scheduled for 5 p.m. on the 8th of next month.

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