A former high-ranking police officer faces a six-year prison term after accepting bribes totaling 120 million won from individuals under investigation, by promising to exert influence over their cases.
Court Imposes Harsh Sentence
The Uijeongbu District Court Criminal Division 1, presided over by Judge Kim Hee-soo, convicted the officer, identified as A and in his 40s, on charges including violations of laws on aggravated punishment for bribery and accepting bribes. The court delivered the real-term sentence on the 3rd.
The bench stated, “The defendant viewed his senior police position as absolute power, associated freely with suspects lacking any sense of guilt, and accepted bribes.” It added, “This conduct severely undermines official impartiality, accuracy, and public trust, warranting a substantial penalty.”
Details of the Bribery Scheme
From December 2023 to March 2024, A received 50 million won in cash and 70 million won in entertainment expenses from investigation targets, prosecutors revealed. At the time, A served at the Western Seoul Police Station, leading probes into cryptocurrency investment scams and multi-level marketing frauds.
In one case involving a coin proxy trading scam, perpetrators linked up with A through B, a representative from a law firm called Samujang. They offered cash and lavish outings in exchange for leniency, such as dropping charges.
Additional Fraud Charges
A also faces accusations of falsifying records. Despite skipping work for about 80 instances between July 2023 and June 2024, he claimed overtime pay totaling 7.88 million won.
Accomplice B received a two-year-and-six-month prison term, suspended for four years, along with a 50 million won fine.
