Former lawmaker Lim Jong-sung sentenced to two years in prison in first trial over tens of millions of won from local businessmen

Former Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Lim Jong-sung, who was indicted on charges of receiving tens of millions of won in cash and favors from businessmen in his constituency, has been sentenced to a prison term in his first trial.
On the 10th, the Seoul Eastern District Court’s Criminal Division 12, presided over by Judge Lee Jeong-hyeong, sentenced Lim to two years in prison on charges including bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, violations of the Political Funds Act, and violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. The court also ordered him to forfeit 18,547,500 won and to make an advance payment equivalent to the forfeiture amount.
A local businessman surnamed Eom from Lim’s constituency, who was indicted alongside him on charges including offering bribes and violating the Political Funds Act, was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years. Another local businessman surnamed Oh, charged with offering bribes as well as breach of trust and embezzlement in the course of duty, was sentenced to one year in prison.
The court found Lim guilty of receiving 5 million won in plastic surgery costs paid on his behalf, using a corporate credit card provided by a local company official, and accepting golf entertainment and other benefits.
The court stated, "Lim’s claim that he tried to pay the surgery bill himself or later reimbursed it in cash is inconsistent with the testimony of hospital staff and with objective records," and held that "this constitutes the receipt of money and valuables in connection with his official duties." Regarding the use of the corporate card, the court added that "given that the card charges were only repaid belatedly after the case came to light, it appears he was aware that his conduct was improper," and concluded that it amounted to bribery.
The court went on to say, "Although Lim was an elected official, a position that demands a high degree of integrity, he obtained financial benefits through his relationships with local businesspeople and thereby damaged public trust in the office he held," explaining that "a stern punishment is necessary."
However, the court acquitted Lim on the charges related to interior construction costs and the purchase of fixtures allegedly paid on his behalf. It also found that the hiring of Lim’s son by a local company in his constituency "cannot easily be regarded as a favor request with independent monetary value."
As for Eom, the court noted, "Although the amount of money and benefits he provided was not small, he has largely admitted his wrongdoing and shown remorse, and his actions were driven more by fear of potential disadvantages than by an attempt to secure active preferential treatment." Regarding Oh, the court added, "He actively provided money and benefits in the expectation of special favors, and the nature of his crime is therefore not light," concluding that a custodial sentence was unavoidable.
Between November 2019 and May 2021, Lim was indicted on charges of receiving benefits worth about 102.1 million won from Eom, the head of a construction company based in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, which was part of his constituency. The alleged benefits included payment of interior work and fixture costs for his campaign office and payment of his plastic surgery expenses. At the final hearing last year, prosecutors had sought a 12-year prison term for Lim.
yesji@fnnews.com Kim Ye-ji Reporter