'KIA Jang Jeong-seok and Kim Jong-guk Acquitted in First Trial on Charges of Receiving Bribes Over 100 Million Won'
Former KIA Tigers general manager Jang Jeong-seok (50) and former manager Kim Jong-guk (50), who were on trial for receiving large bribes from sponsoring companies, were acquitted in the first trial.
The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21 (Chief Judge Heo Kyung-moo) acquitted former GM Jang and former manager Kim, who were indicted on charges including breach of trust and bribery, on the 4th. Kim, the CEO of a dining company who was indicted for providing money to them on charges of aiding breach of trust, was also acquitted.
The court stated, "At that time, KIA proceeded with the season with the shoulder patch advertisement space vacant, so there was no need to make any requests," and judged, "If there had been a request, they should have benefited from the advertising fees, but rather, they paid more advertising fees."
Former GM Jang and former manager Kim were indicted without detention on charges of receiving 100 million won together in exchange for facilitating an advertising contract at the request of Mr. Kim in October 2022. Former manager Kim is also charged with receiving 60 million won in July of the same year as a bribe for facilitating the shoulder patch advertisement on player uniforms.
Former GM Jang was also indicted on charges of attempted bribery after allegedly demanding 200 million won three times from catcher Park Dong-won (currently with the LG Twins), who was about to sign a free agent (FA) contract from May to August 2022, promising to secure at least 1.2 billion won in contract money, but was rejected. The court also acquitted him of this charge.
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The court ruled, "Tempering (prior contact), which prohibits discussions related to FA negotiations before becoming an FA, violates KBO regulations, and disciplinary actions should be considered within the KBO," and judged, "It does not directly constitute a crime."
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