‘Received 100 Million Won Bribe for Membership’ Former Vice Chairman of Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Given Suspended Prison Sentence in First Trial

A former official of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) who was accused of receiving bribes worth hundreds of millions of won in exchange for helping a expelled labor union rejoin was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the first trial.

Seoul Central District Court, Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

On the 22nd, Judge Lee Chun-geun of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 1 sentenced Kang Mo, former senior vice chairman of the FKTU, who was indicted on charges including breach of trust and bribery, to two years in prison with a three-year suspension and ordered the confiscation of 100 million won.

Choi Mo and Lee Mo, members of the National Construction Industry Integrated Union Federation (Geontong Yeonmaeng), who were accused of requesting Kang to facilitate their FKTU membership, were sentenced to one year in prison with a two-year suspension and ten months in prison with a two-year suspension, respectively, on charges of mediation of breach of trust.

Judge Lee said, "Considering the amount of money involved and the impact on public trust in union activities, the nature of the crime is serious," and added, "Strict punishment commensurate with the crime is necessary."

According to the prosecution, Kang is accused of helping Geontong Yeonmaeng, established by Choi and others in September 2022, to join the FKTU and agreeing to receive a total of 300 million won, having received 100 million won as an advance payment. Kang is also accused of attempted mediation of breach of trust for trying to deliver 50 million won to Lee Mo, the FKTU secretary-general, to support Geontong Yeonmaeng's union membership.

Choi and others, who belonged to the National Construction Industry Union (Geunsanojo) under the FKTU, established Geontong Yeonmaeng in July 2022 after their union was expelled from the FKTU due to corruption such as embezzlement by the chairman. They investigated that they decided to deliver money to Kang, judging that rejoining the FKTU would be advantageous to easily receive union allowances and fees.

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