Former KT CEO Koo Hyun-mo Sentenced to 10 Million Won Fine for 'Split Donation' Scheme

The prosecution has requested a fine for former KT CEO Koo Hyun-mo (59), who was indicted on charges of participating in the creation of slush funds through the so-called 'gift certificate laundering' method and illegally providing political donations to members of the National Assembly.

Seoul Central District Court. / Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

At the sentencing hearing held on the 17th at the Seoul Central District Court, Criminal Division 1, presided over by Judge Kim Sang-il, the prosecution asked the court to "impose a fine of 10 million won on former CEO Koo."

In his final statement, former CEO Koo appealed for leniency, saying, "Please consider the unique nature of KT, a private company privatized 20 years ago, which still finds it difficult to escape external influences."

Earlier, the prosecution indicted KT employees on charges of purchasing gift certificates from May 2014 to October 2017, reselling them to create slush funds worth approximately 1.15 billion won, and splitting donations totaling 437.9 million won among 99 members of the 19th and 20th National Assembly from both ruling and opposition parties.

Investigations revealed that 10 current and former KT executives also participated in the crime by lending their names to the executive in charge of government relations. Under former CEO Koo's name, donations amounting to 14 million won were transferred to 13 members of the National Assembly.

The sentencing date is set for July 5.

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