Prosecutors Indict Kim Jin-guk, Former Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs' Son, for Accepting Bribes Claiming "Will Show Leniency to Judge"

The son of former Blue House Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Kim Jin-guk has been brought to trial on charges of receiving money from a defendant by promising to secure leniency from a judge.

Jin-guk Kim, Former Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs at the Blue House [Photo by Yonhap News]

The Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Park Hyuk-soo) announced on the 29th that Kim's son, Kim (31), and his accomplice Jo (31) were indicted without detention on charges of bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.

Kim is accused of contacting A, who was indicted in July 2021 for violating the National Sports Promotion Act while Kim's father was working at the Blue House, through Jo's introduction, demanding 100 million won by saying, "I will ask the presiding judge to grant leniency," and receiving 50 million won, with 5 million won accepted as an initial payment. Kim also allegedly called the office of the presiding judge to request leniency for A. However, A reportedly received a prison sentence and was taken into custody in court.

The prosecution believes Kim and others committed the crime to earn entertainment expenses and referred them to trial. In December 2021, Kim caused controversy over "Dad's chance" by submitting job applications to several companies stating, "My father is Kim Jin-guk, Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs," and "My father will provide a lot of help." As the controversy grew, former Senior Secretary Kim explained that his son had been receiving treatment for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms and subsequently resigned.

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