ID :
211293
Wed, 10/05/2011 - 11:53
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/211293
The shortlink copeid
DP lawmaker fined, may lose seat for taking illegal political funds
SEOUL, Oct. 5 (Yonhap) -- An opposition lawmaker was fined on Wednesday for receiving illegal political donations from a security guard association that sought legislation to enhance their welfare.
A local court ordered Rep. Choe Kyoo-sik of the main opposition Democratic Party to pay a 5 million won (US$4,198) fine for receiving 50 million won from a so-called "rent-a-cop" association in breach of the Political Fund Law.
He was also ordered to forfeit the sum he took from the trade association.
The latest court decision put the two-term lawmaker in danger of losing his parliamentary seat. A lawmaker loses his or her seat if fined 1 million won or more for breaching the Political Fund Law. Choe said he will appeal the decision.
The Seoul Northern District Court also slapped Kang Gi-jung, another DP lawmaker, with a fine of 900,000 won with restitution of 9.9 million won.
Lee Myung-soo from the minor opposition Liberty Forward Party and three ruling Grand National Party lawmakers -- Kwon Kyung-seok, Yoo Jeong-hyeon and Cho Jin-hyung -- were all sentenced to a suspended fine ranging from 1 million to 2 million won.
The six lawmakers, all members of the parliament's public administration committee, were indicted in January after getting illegal funds from the security guard association, which was lobbying for a 2009 parliamentary bill aimed at raising their pay and improving working conditions for private guards.
"The money seemed to have no direct link to the lawmakers' legislation activities but it was taken in violation of the Political Fund Law," Judge Kang Eul-hwan said.
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)
A local court ordered Rep. Choe Kyoo-sik of the main opposition Democratic Party to pay a 5 million won (US$4,198) fine for receiving 50 million won from a so-called "rent-a-cop" association in breach of the Political Fund Law.
He was also ordered to forfeit the sum he took from the trade association.
The latest court decision put the two-term lawmaker in danger of losing his parliamentary seat. A lawmaker loses his or her seat if fined 1 million won or more for breaching the Political Fund Law. Choe said he will appeal the decision.
The Seoul Northern District Court also slapped Kang Gi-jung, another DP lawmaker, with a fine of 900,000 won with restitution of 9.9 million won.
Lee Myung-soo from the minor opposition Liberty Forward Party and three ruling Grand National Party lawmakers -- Kwon Kyung-seok, Yoo Jeong-hyeon and Cho Jin-hyung -- were all sentenced to a suspended fine ranging from 1 million to 2 million won.
The six lawmakers, all members of the parliament's public administration committee, were indicted in January after getting illegal funds from the security guard association, which was lobbying for a 2009 parliamentary bill aimed at raising their pay and improving working conditions for private guards.
"The money seemed to have no direct link to the lawmakers' legislation activities but it was taken in violation of the Political Fund Law," Judge Kang Eul-hwan said.
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)
