Eight on Trial for May 18 Organization Subsidy Scandal... Defendants Divided

Eight, Including Hwang Ilbong and Jeong Seongguk, Indicted
False Hiring and Personal Use of Vehicles
Some Defendants Deny Charges as Positions Diverge

Court.

Former executives of the official organization representing the May 18 Democratic Uprising, who were indicted on charges of misappropriating state subsidies from the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and embezzling organization funds, faced their first trial.

On the 19th, Judge Park Kyunghwan of the Gwangju District Court, Criminal Division 7, held the first hearing for eight individuals associated with the May 18 organizations, including Hwang Ilbong, former president of the May 18 Democratic Uprising Injured Persons’ Association, and Jeong Seongguk, former president of the May 18 Democratic Uprising Meritorious Persons’ Association, who were indicted for violating the Subsidy Management Act and other charges.

Former President Hwang was indicted on charges of conspiring with other executives during his 2023 tenure to fraudulently hire acquaintances as organization employees without the required qualifications, such as a driver’s license, thereby deceiving the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and misappropriating over 13 million won in subsidies.

Former President Jeong is accused of using 32 million won of the 40 million won vehicle purchase subsidy for purposes other than intended, excluding long-term rental costs, and of diverting 7.87 million won by falsely hiring an employee.

Additionally, Mr. Lee, who previously served as director of the welfare project team for the Injured Persons’ Association, is accused of using three organization-owned used vehicles for personal purposes and of repaying 3 million won in personal debt with a corporate card. Another executive, Mr. Choi, was also brought to trial on charges of embezzling 237 million won from organization funds over 16 instances. This case came to light as internal conflicts within the organization over state subsidies prompted an audit by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.

The defendants' positions diverged significantly during the trial. Four former executives of the Injured Persons’ Association, including former President Hwang and Mr. Lee, largely denied the charges.

On the other hand, former President Jeong admitted to the allegations, stating, "I regret leaving a stain on both the organization and myself," and the remaining three defendants also acknowledged the charges, concluding their arguments.

The prosecution requested a one-year prison sentence for former President Jeong, who admitted to the charges. Mr. Choi, who embezzled over 200 million won but later returned the funds, was recommended for a two-year prison sentence. The other two individuals involved in the misappropriation of subsidies were each requested to pay fines of between 2 million and 3 million won.

The court decided to hold a follow-up hearing on April 16 for the four defendants, including former President Hwang, who denied the charges, and to continue the proceedings.

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