The Supreme Court overturned part of the ruling, acquitting former Saemaul Geumgo Central Association President Park Cha-hoon, who has been accused of receiving illegal money related to his duties.
The Supreme Court's 1st Division, led by Chief Justice Seo Kyung-hwan, on the 10th overturned the original ruling that sentenced former Chairman Park to 6 years in prison, a fine of 200 million won, and a forfeiture of 172 million won for charges of bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, sending the case back to the Seoul High Court.
Former Chairman Park was brought to trial for allegedly receiving 100 million won in cash from Yoo Young-seok (57), the former head of Asset Management Company Ice Time Partners, through Ryu Hyuk (61), the former chief executive officer of the Central Association’s Credit Guarantee. He was also charged with demanding and actually having the attorney expense of 50 million won paid on his behalf. Additionally, he faced charges of receiving two gold seals worth approximately 8 million won from a representative of a Saemaul Geumgo subsidiary, Mr. Kim (65).
The appellate court found former Chairman Park guilty of receiving 100 million won in cash, demanding the attorney expense of 50 million won, and receiving two gold seals, sentencing him to 6 years in prison. While the court ruled him not guilty of the charge of effectively receiving money by having the attorney fee of 50 million won paid, it recognized the demand and promise of payment as guilty.
However, the Supreme Court ruled that the part about demanding and promising the attorney expense of 50 million won could not be considered guilty. The Supreme Court noted, "Former Chairman Park did not incur any additional fee payment obligations other than the 10 million won in attorney fees he paid directly, so even if he demanded or promised the payment of 50 million won, the benefits of the money would ultimately belong to the third-party attorney. Unless Former Chairman Park specifically avoided the obligation or expenditure, it is difficult to see this as a direct demand or promise for him to receive. "
Furthermore, the Supreme Court stated that the charges against Former Chairman Park for receiving two gold seals must be reassessed due to procedural violations in the evidence collection process. The Supreme Court commented, "The gold seals are not directly related to the crimes listed in the first seizure warrant, as they share the same basic factual context. " and overturned the original ruling.