Broker for 'Saemangeum Solar Power' Solicitation Sentenced to 2 Years in First Trial

Alseonsujae Charges Under the Act on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes

A broker who was prosecuted for pocketing tens of millions of won from a local company for solicitation purposes during the Saemangeum solar power project in Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk, was sentenced to prison.

On the 19th, Judge Heo Myeong-san of the Criminal Division 12 at the Seoul Northern District Court held a sentencing hearing for Park (57), who was indicted on charges of bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, and sentenced him to 2 years in prison and ordered a fine of 72.5 million won.

Park was charged with soliciting a local electrical construction company, Company A, to include him in the consortium participating in the "Saemangeum Zone 2 Land Solar Power Project" so that he could secure the project contract, and receiving 62.5 million won in eight installments from November 2019 to January 2021.

Additionally, Park, along with his acquaintance Kim, is accused of helping Company A secure the underground transmission line project for the solar power project in Eoeun-ri, Okgu-eup, Gunsan-si, and receiving 50 million won under the pretext of resolving permit issues during the construction.

Judge Heo explained the sentencing rationale, stating, "The defendant continuously demanded money for over a year, received approximately 112.5 million won, deleted data stored on his computer, and frequently changed his phone to destroy evidence. This disrupts the fairness of public officials' duties, public trust, and market order, necessitating severe punishment."

He added, "The strongest evidence of guilt was that the representative of Company A, in a phone call with acquaintance Kim, admitted to paying money and did not deny receiving money despite threatening to report the failure to secure the solar power project."

He continued, "However, considering that the defendant admitted to a significant portion of the charges, showed remorse, and did not receive the promised money as a reward for the solicitation after Company A’s solar power project, these factors were taken into account."

Park partially admitted to the charges during the first trial held in May. At that time, Park’s side acknowledged the promise of solicitation but denied the factual accuracy of the charges. His lawyer claimed, "Park repaid a debt of 50 million won owed to the representative of Company A by giving 40 million won of his own money to Kim, who conspired in the solicitation, as a form of debt repayment."

Regarding this claim by Park’s side, Judge Heo stated, "Based on the contents recorded in the notebook of Company A’s representative and the circumstances, I cannot accept all the defendant’s claims," and ruled, "All charges are acknowledged as guilty."

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