Receiving Money and Gifts in Exchange for Favoritism in Personnel Matters... Former KOICA Standing Director Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison

Charges Including Fraud and Bribery

A former executive director of KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) who was prosecuted for receiving more than 400 million won in bribes in exchange for personnel favors was sentenced to imprisonment in the first trial.

Seoul Eastern District Court. [Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 10th, Judge Jeong Eun-young of the Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 12 sentenced Song Mo (60), who was indicted on charges of fraud and bribery, to four years in prison and ordered the confiscation of about 40 million won.

Song was charged with receiving 412 million won from 20 executives and employees through interest-free and indefinite loans from February 2018 to December 2020 in exchange for personnel and contract favors. After the Board of Audit and Inspection became aware of Song’s personnel corruption, it requested an investigation by the prosecution. Song admitted to receiving the money but claimed, “I carried out personnel work in a legitimate manner through internal personnel guidelines and work evaluation materials.”

However, the court stated, “Although the defendant denied the charges, it is recognized that he had significant interests related to the personnel of KOICA employees at the time,” and “Considering the circumstances where he borrowed money without promissory notes or collateral and requested ‘to keep it quiet,’ it is clear that he knew his actions could be problematic.”

The court also explained the sentencing by saying, “Song denies bribery and does not admit his wrongdoing,” and “Despite the total amount of money used exceeding 400 million won, only a very small portion has been repaid, so the fraud damage has not been restored.”

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