1 Million Won for Road Occupancy Permit? Public Official Denies Charges in Court

Contractor Claims 'Simple Loan'
Prosecution Sees Quid Pro Quo Bribery

A current public official and a construction contractor, who were indicted on charges of exchanging bribes under the guise of wedding congratulatory money for a child ahead of a construction-related permit, completely denied the charges at their first trial.

Ji Hyesun, the presiding judge of Criminal Division 5 at Gwangju District Court, held the first hearing on the 14th for Defendant A (59), a public official charged with bribery and other offenses, and Defendant B (67), a construction contractor accused of offering a bribe.

Exterior view of Gwangju District Court.

According to the prosecution, in March 2022, Defendant A allegedly received 1 million won in cash from Defendant B’s side as wedding congratulatory money for his son. Prosecutors determined that Defendant B, who needed a road occupation permit, provided a bribe through an acquaintance to Defendant A, the official responsible for the relevant work, as a quid pro quo to resolve civil complaints.

However, both defendants strongly denied the charges in court and pleaded their innocence.

Defendant A argued, “At the time, an acquaintance handed me an envelope of money, so I said, ‘Why are you giving congratulatory money when my son's wedding was so long ago?’ and returned it with the help of a staff member. I also do not have the authority to issue the road occupation permit in question.”

Defendant B also stated, “This is my first time seeing Defendant A in person. The acquaintance said he needed to give congratulatory money to Defendant A and asked to borrow money, so I lent it to him. There was absolutely no intention of soliciting favors, and the road construction was carried out in accordance with proper procedures.”

The court decided to call two people involved in the transmission of the congratulatory money as witnesses to testify at the next hearing. However, proceedings for Defendant B were concluded first, and the prosecution requested a fine of 1 million won for Defendant B.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 9, 2026.

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