Former Lawmaker Kim Hee-guk Acquitted by Supreme Court of Korea Over Alleged Split Political Donations

[Financial News] Kim Hee-guk, a former member of the National Assembly, who was indicted for allegedly receiving split political donations as bribes in connection with job-related solicitations and violating the Political Funds Act, has been acquitted by the Supreme Court of Korea.
According to the legal community on the 27th, the first division of the Supreme Court of Korea, presided over by Justice Ma Yong-joo, upheld the lower court's acquittal of Kim on charges of bribery and violating the Political Funds Act on the 16th.
Kim was brought to trial on charges of receiving a total of 9.8 million won in split political donations from more than 50 executives and employees, including staff and directors of the Daegu Dyeing Industrial Complex, after allegedly being solicited in May 2015 to help the complex be selected for an old industrial complex regeneration project.
The first trial court found the evidence submitted by the prosecution insufficient to prove Kim's guilt and determined that the quid pro quo was not clear, resulting in a not-guilty verdict. The appeals court also acquitted him, and with the Supreme Court of Korea's final ruling, Kim has been cleared of all charges.
Mr. Kim, a secretary to the former lawmaker who was tried alongside him, was found guilty of bribery and received a sentence of five years in prison, a fine of 250 million won, and a forfeiture of 3.83 million won. Mr. Kwon, the former president of the Korea Fashion and Culture Industry Promotion Agency who conspired with him, was sentenced to seven years in prison and a fine of 250 million won.
hwlee@fnnews.com Lee Hwan-joo Reporter