Bribery Scandal: How Im Jong-sung’s 1 Billion Won Case Could Impact Future Elections

[Herald Economy] Former Democratic Party lawmaker Im Jong-seong has been sentenced to two years in prison for allegedly accepting approximately 100 million KRW (about 75,000 USD) in bribes from a construction company in his district.

On February 10, the Seoul Eastern District Court’s Criminal Division 12, presided over by Judge Lee Jeong-hyung, found Im guilty of violating laws related to aggravated punishment for specific crimes (bribery), political funds, and the prohibition of solicitation. The court sentenced him to two years in prison and ordered him to forfeit 18,547,500 KRW (about 13,910 USD).

Im was accused of accepting over 100 million KRW (about 75,000 USD) in bribes between late 2019 and May 2021. These included payments for his election office interior design, furnishings, and cosmetic surgery from a representative of a construction company in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province.

He also allegedly received about 13 million KRW (about 9,750 USD) in benefits from another construction company executive through the use of a corporate credit card. The prosecution had initially sought a 12-year prison term based on the allegations raised in December of the previous year.

The court found Im guilty of accepting 5 million KRW (about 3,750 USD) for cosmetic surgery from one representative and misusing a corporate card from another executive. It was confirmed that Im was involved in securing district budget allocations related to these individuals’ businesses, establishing a clear connection between the bribes and his official duties.

However, the court did not uphold the charges regarding payments for interior design and furnishings.

Im has stated his intention to appeal the verdict. It’s worth noting that he was previously indicted for providing money and meals to election staff and local officials between March and April 2022. This earlier case resulted in a conviction in 2024, leading to a four-month prison sentence, a two-year probation, and the loss of his parliamentary seat.