Ex-Rep. Ooh Gets 3½ Years in Corruption Case

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Corruption Case Involving Former National Assembly Member

A former member of the National Assembly, Ooh Che-chang, has been sentenced to a prison term following a corruption case related to the construction of highway soundproof walls. The 11th Criminal Division of the Suwon District Court, presided over by Judge Song Byung-hoon, handed down a sentence of three years and six months in prison along with the confiscation of approximately 888 million Korean won.

Ooh was indicted on multiple charges, including violations of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (specifically, brokerage bribery) and the Attorney-at-Law Act. However, the court acquitted him of some allegations, such as the receipt of approximately 98 million won and a promise to receive 2.3 billion won in exchange for brokerage activities linked to the duties of Korea Expressway Corporation employees. The acquittal was based on insufficient evidence, citing issues with the credibility of statements from involved parties.

Details of the Alleged Corruption

According to the court, Ooh was accused of receiving approximately 990 million won from Park, the representative of construction company A. This occurred in relation to the soundproof wall construction project for the Yeongdong Expressway, which was managed by a local housing association near Bopyeong Station in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. The alleged payments took place between 2021 and early this year.

Ooh was found to have told Park, “I will help you secure the construction project through Korea Expressway Corporation.” This statement formed part of the evidence presented during the trial.

The court emphasized that Ooh accepted money and valuables from business operators under the pretext of making requests and brokerage regarding the duties of the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, National Assembly members belonging to the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, and Korea Expressway Corporation employees. He leveraged his connections from his two previous terms as a National Assembly member to facilitate these actions.

Impact of the Crime

The court noted that such crimes not only undermine social trust in the functionality and fairness of public duty execution but also aggravate the financial burden on the association members involved in this case. As a result, the nature of the offense was deemed grave.

Background of the Case

The case came to light when Park filed a complaint with prosecutors after being excluded from the project following a dispute with Ooh over the amount of lobbying funds. Park has also been separately indicted on charges of providing tens of millions of won in secret payments to former Yongin Mayor Lee Jeong-moon. He is currently undergoing trial at the court of first instance.

Conclusion

This case highlights the serious implications of corruption within public office and the significant impact it can have on both public trust and the financial stability of affected organizations. The sentencing of Ooh Che-chang serves as a reminder of the legal consequences for those who misuse their positions for personal gain. The ongoing trials of Park and others involved underscore the complexity of such cases and the need for thorough investigation and due process.

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