Kang Sun-oo, Accused of '100 Million Won Nomination Kickback', Faces 1st-Trial Verdict Today... Prosecutors Demanded 4-Year Prison Term

The first-instance verdict for independent lawmaker Kang Sun-oo and former Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Kyung, who were indicted on charges of exchanging 100 million won in return for a municipal council nomination, will be delivered today (the 14th).

Chief Judge Lee Choon-geun of Criminal Division 1 at the Seoul Central District Court will hold the sentencing hearing for Representative Kang and former Council Member Kim on charges of violating the Political Funds Act at 1:30 p.m. today.

During the previous sentencing hearing, prosecutors demanded a four-year prison term and an additional collection of 100 million won for Representative Kang, and a two-year prison term for former Council Member Kim.

At the time, prosecutors emphasized, "They undermined public trust by making the recommendation of public office candidates the subject of massive monetary transactions," adding, "Party nomination is a crucial process for selecting candidates, and when money is involved, fairness is compromised, and the damage ultimately falls on the voters."

Nam, a former aide to Representative Kang who arranged the meeting between the two, was demanded a one-year prison term.

Representative Kang and former Council Member Kim were detained and indicted in March on charges of meeting at a hotel in Yongsan-gu in January 2022, ahead of the local elections, and exchanging a shopping bag containing 100 million won in exchange for a nomination.

The two were released on bail last month ahead of the expiration of their detention period on September 22, and will receive their first-instance verdict without being detained.

While former Council Member Kim and Nam admitted to the charges of providing the funds during the trial, Representative Kang has completely denied the allegations.

In addition to this case, Representative Kang and former Council Member Kim were additionally indicted last month on charges of "split donations," in which approximately 130 million won was divided under the names of dozens of people.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.