Im Jong-seong Accused of Bribery 'First Trial'... "Denies All Charges"

Im Jong-seong, a former member of the Democratic Party of Korea who was arrested and indicted on charges of receiving money and valuables from companies located in his electoral district, denied the charges at his first trial.

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At the first hearing held on the morning of the 11th at the Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 12 (Presiding Judge Lee Jeong-hyeong), Im's lawyer stated, "We deny all the charges."

According to the prosecution, from November 2019 to May 2021, Im is accused of receiving approximately 115 million won in money and valuables from two companies located in Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi Province, in exchange for business support and other favors (charges include bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, violations of the Political Funds Act, and the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act).

Im received about 102.1 million won in total, including 97.1 million won paid on his behalf by Mr. A (54) for the interior and fixtures of his local election office, and employed his son as a staff member at the company for about a year. From another company, Mr. B (53) provided him with a corporate card, which was used 101 times totaling 11.96 million won, and gave golf apparel worth approximately 1.58 million won, totaling about 13.54 million won. The prosecution has also indicted those who provided the money and valuables without detention on charges of bribery and violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.

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