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Photo = Yonhap news |
[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] A former labor union official at Kia’s Gwangju plant has received a reduced sentence in an appeals court after being convicted of taking bribes in exchange for false employment promises.
On July 16, the Gwangju High Court’s Criminal Division 4 (Presiding Judge Bae Eun-chang) overturned the original four-year prison sentence for Mr. A, a man in his 50s, and instead sentenced him to three years and six months in prison for fraud.
"The method of the crime was improper and the nature of the offense is serious," the court stated, "but the reduction in sentence reflects the fact that additional settlements were reached with victims."
Mr. A, who served as a union executive at Kia’s Gwangju factory, was found guilty of receiving between 80 million and 100 million KRW (approximately USD 58,000–73,000) each from five acquaintances between 2021 and 2023. He falsely promised to secure jobs for their children at the company.
The scheme came to light after Mr. A failed to fulfill the promises and was reported to the police. The defendant resigned from Kia earlier this year after the scandal broke.
Alphabiz Reporter Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
