Former Lawmaker Im Jong-sung Sentenced to 2 Years for Bribery: What This Means for Korean Politics?

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Im Jong-seong has been sentenced to two years in prison in the first trial for allegedly accepting over 1.13 billion KRW (approximately $850,000) in bribes from a local construction company representative.

The Seoul Eastern District Court’s Criminal Division 12, led by Judge Lee Jeong-hyung, handed down the sentence for violations of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (bribery), the Political Funds Act, and the Act on Prohibition of Improper Solicitation and Receipt of Money and Goods. The court also ordered Im to forfeit 24.7 million KRW (approximately $18,500).

In its ruling, the court emphasized that Im, despite holding a position that demands high integrity and moral standards, had compromised public trust by associating with local business owners and accepting financial benefits. This behavior, the court noted, eroded confidence in elected officials and public office, necessitating severe punishment.

Im is accused of accepting bribes totaling around 134.6 million KRW (approximately $101,000) between November 2019 and May 2021 from a construction company representative in his constituency. The alleged bribes covered expenses for his campaign office’s interior design, furnishings, and even cosmetic surgery.

Furthermore, Im allegedly received about 18 million KRW (approximately $13,500) in benefits by using a corporate credit card from another construction company executive.

In related rulings, Um, who was indicted alongside Im, received a one-year suspended sentence with two years of probation. Oh, another co-defendant, was sentenced to one year in prison.

Despite the prison sentences, the court decided not to detain Im and Oh immediately. The judge cited their consistent court attendance throughout the lengthy trial and the difficulty in conclusively determining them to be flight risks.