KICO Employee Who Demanded 500 Million Won in Bribes After Nine Entertainments at Bars Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison in First Trial

"Fined 500 Million Won, Ordered to Forfeit 6.02 Million Won"
"Accused of Receiving Entertainment Worth 6.02 Million Won on Nine Occasions"

A former employee of the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation who demanded up to 500 million won after receiving entertainment from a civil engineering company has been sentenced to a medium-term prison sentence.

On November 17, the 6th Criminal Division of the Busan District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Yonggyun) announced that it had sentenced Mr. A, a former employee of the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation in his 40s who was indicted on charges including bribery, to 10 years in prison and a fine of 500 million won, and ordered the forfeiture of 6.02 million won.

A former employee of the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation who demanded up to 500 million won after receiving entertainment from a civil engineering company was sentenced to a heavy penalty. Photo by The Asia Business Daily.

Mr. B, in his 50s, who attempted to extort bribes from the civil engineering company together with Mr. A, was sentenced to 8 years in prison and a fine of 500 million won. Mr. C, the CEO of the civil engineering company in his 40s who offered bribes to Mr. A, was sentenced to 4 months in prison with a one-year suspended sentence.

Mr. A, who served as a supervisor for a national industrial complex, was brought to trial on charges of receiving entertainment worth 6.02 million won on nine occasions between August 2023 and April 2024. The allegations state that after drinking with the site manager of the civil engineering company operated by Mr. C at an entertainment bar, Mr. A had the company pay for the drinks using a corporate card. Mr. A is also accused of conspiring with his acquaintance, Mr. B, on April 28 last year to demand a 500 million won rebate related to Mr. C's construction project.

It is reported that Mr. B told a subcontractor of Mr. C's company that they should provide about 500 million won to Mr. A together with Mr. C. Mr. B also demanded bribes from Mr. C by saying, "There are construction defects that need repair," and "If there is something to settle, take care of it." The court found all charges to be proven guilty based on evidence such as the conversations between the parties.

The court stated that Mr. A actively and repeatedly demanded entertainment by abusing his position as a supervisor for the construction project and that he received such benefits. The court further noted, "He tried to shift responsibility by claiming the bribes were offered voluntarily, and his conduct after the crime, such as attempting to persuade involved parties to destroy evidence, was also egregious."

The court added that while Mr. B tried to evade responsibility and conceal Mr. A's crimes, Mr. C consistently admitted his wrongdoing. The sentencing also took into account the possibility that Mr. C may have responded passively to Mr. A's persistent demands.

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