'60 Million Won Bribery Charge' No Woong-rae Trial Begins "Convicted 16 Times, Accused of Crime by Words"

The trial of Roh Woong-rae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was indicted on charges of receiving bribes and illegal political funds from a businessman, began on the 19th.

Judge Lee Hwan-gi of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 4 presided over Roh's first trial session on the same day. Roh was indicted without detention on charges of bribery, mediation of bribery, and violation of the Political Funds Act.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Roh appeared in court in person, fulfilling his formal obligation to attend the trial. He told reporters, "I have never received bribes," adding, "I have no acquaintance with the businessman who claims to have given bribes, and I have never had even a single phone call with him." He said, "The prosecution is labeling me a criminal based solely on the testimony of a person with 16 prior convictions."

Regarding the prosecution's claim that "the sound of money envelopes was recorded and the evidence is solid," he said, "'Political prosecutors' do not count money while receiving illicit funds. This is a malicious and intentional distortion," adding, "I will also expose the manipulation of the recordings. Claiming to hear what was not heard is fabrication."

Roh's defense attorney also stated in court, "He was not a politician lacking political funds, so it is hard to believe he made a dangerous and wrong choice that would end his political career by himself."

Roh is accused of receiving a total of 60 million won in five installments from businessman Park, under various pretexts such as facilitating logistics center permits from February to December 2020, providing convenience for power plant supply projects and solar power projects, personnel mediation, and various election funds.

Park, who maintained close ties with various politicians, is known to have provided 940 million won to former Democratic Party Deputy Secretary-General Lee Jung-geun under the pretext of illegal political funds and mediation. The prosecution believes that after Park learned of the friendship between his wife Jo and Roh, he made business-related requests.

The prosecution initially requested an arrest warrant for Roh, but after the National Assembly rejected the request in December last year, he was tried without detention in March. Park was indicted without detention on charges of bribery and violation of the Political Funds Act.

Roh denies all charges in court. In his statement during the National Assembly's arrest consent debate, he claimed, "This is not a proper investigation but a manhunt." At that time, Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon released a recording file allegedly capturing Roh receiving money after a request. Minister Han explained the reason for the arrest consent request, saying, "The recording clearly captures Roh's voice saying, 'You gave me some before, why again?' and 'I have been using that well,' along with the rustling sound of the money envelope."

The prosecution also plans to conduct additional investigations into 300 million won in cash found during a search of Roh's residence last year. This amount was not included in the current indictment.

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