Independent Lawmaker Kang Sunoo Sentenced to 2.5 Years in Prison for '100 Million Won Nomination Kickback'

An independent lawmaker, Kang Sunoo, who was indicted on charges of receiving 100 million won in exchange for a municipal council nomination, has been sentenced to prison.

On the 14th, Judge Lee Chun-geun of Criminal Single Division 1 at the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Lawmaker Kang, who was put on trial for violating the Political Funds Act and other charges, to two years and six months in prison and ordered the forfeiture of 100 million won.

Previously, prosecutors had sought a four-year prison term and the forfeiture of 100 million won.

Kim Kyung, a former Seoul Metropolitan Council member accused of handing over the 100 million won to Lawmaker Kang, was sentenced to one year in prison, while Nam, a former aide to Lawmaker Kang who arranged the meeting between the two, received an eight-month prison sentence suspended for two years.

Lawmaker Kang and former Councilman Kim, who had been indicted and detained before being released on bail last month, were taken into custody again in the courtroom today due to concerns over evidence destruction and flight risks.

The court acknowledged the charge that former Councilman Kim met Lawmaker Kang at a hotel in Yongsan-gu in January 2022 ahead of the local elections and handed over a shopping bag containing 100 million won through Nam in exchange for a nomination.

The court rebuked the defendants, stating, "Regarding the recommendation of municipal council candidates, the defendants donated and received political funds through methods not stipulated by the Political Funds Act," adding, "This undermines the fairness of elections and severely damages public trust in the process."

It further explained, "We considered unfavorable factors for Kang Sunoo, including the receipt of a large sum of 100 million won, her denial of the crime and lack of remorse, and the fact that she used the received money for personal purposes."

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