'Billion-Won Back Money Allegation' KIA Jang Jeong-seok and Kim Jong-guk, Acquitted in Appeal

[Financial News] Former general manager Jang Jeong-seok and former manager Kim Jong-guk of the professional baseball team KIA Tigers, who were tried for allegedly receiving billions in back money from sponsors, were acquitted in the appeal trial.
The 13th Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Baek Kang-jin) also acquitted former general manager Jang and former manager Kim, who were indicted on charges including breach of trust, just like in the first trial.
Kim Mo, the representative of a dining company who was indicted together for allegedly offering money in exchange for advertising contract favors, was also acquitted.
The court found that the money Kim delivered was likely given as encouragement as a sponsor of the KIA team, considering the expression, form, and circumstances of the transaction. It was also deemed difficult to see that Kim personally gave money to former general manager Jang and former manager Kim for solicitation purposes.
The court stated, "It is extremely questionable whether the actions of former general manager Jang and former manager Kim have any moral or legal justification," but added, "At least the original judgment that the criminal responsibility for breach of trust and bribery as indicted by the prosecutor does not establish is accepted by the appeal court."
Former general manager Jang and former manager Kim were accused of receiving 100 million won in exchange for requesting advertising contract favors from Kim in October 2022. Former manager Kim was also accused of receiving 60 million won in July of the same year as compensation for providing convenience related to uniform patch advertisements for players.
Separately, former general manager Jang was accused of demanding 200 million won three times from catcher Park Dong-won (currently with LG Twins) between May and August of the same year, promising to secure at least 1.2 billion won in contract money ahead of a free agent (FA) contract. However, the court, based on the transcript between former general manager Jang and Mr. Park, judged that there was no agreement on solicitation.
Previously, in October last year, the first trial court also stated, "Although they should be morally condemned, it cannot be seen that there was improper solicitation," and acquitted all defendants.  

scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter