[Breaking] Prosecutors Seek Four-Year Prison Sentence for Lawmaker Kang Sun-woo Over 100 Million Won Nomination Bribe

[Financial News] Prosecutors have sought a four-year prison sentence for independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo, who was indicted on charges of receiving 100 million won in exchange for a city council nomination.
On the 16th, prosecutors asked the court to sentence Kang to four years in prison and order the forfeiture of 100 million won. The request was made at the closing hearing in Kang’s case for violating the Political Funds Act, held by the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 1, a single-judge panel presided over by Judge Lee Chun-geun.
Prosecutors sought a two-year prison sentence for former Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Kyung, who was indicted on charges of giving Kang 100 million won, and a one-year sentence for Kang’s former aide, identified only by the surname Nam, who allegedly arranged the meeting between the two.
Prosecutors stated, "This case undermined public trust by turning recommendations for public office candidates into a transaction involving a large sum of money." They added, "Party nominations are an important process for selecting candidates. If money becomes involved, fairness is compromised, and voters ultimately bear the consequences."
Kang and Kim were detained and indicted in March on allegations that they met at a hotel in Yongsan District in January 2022, ahead of the local elections, and exchanged a shopping bag containing 100 million won in return for the nomination.
Kim and Nam admitted in court to the allegations that they provided the money, but Kang has consistently denied all charges. Separately from this case, Kang and Kim were additionally indicted on the 14th on allegations of making donations totaling approximately 130 million won under the names of dozens of people.
[email protected] Choi Eun-sol Reporter