By Jung Min-ho
A recent scandal involving Nature Republic CEO Jung Woon-ho proved that even justice can be bought for the right price in Korea.
Hong Man-pyo, a prosecutor-turned-lawyer who defended the CEO in several criminal cases, will be summoned this week for questioning, prosecutors said Sunday.
When Jung was investigated for three allegations of overseas gambling from 2013 to 2015, Hong allegedly asked prosecutors not to indict him.
Jung was not indicted until late last year, when prosecutors found out about his additional gambling activities in Macau and the Philippines.
Jung was suspected of having misappropriated company funds, but Hong allegedly peddled his influence to help Jung avoid embezzlement charges.
Jung was sentenced to one-year in prison last October, but the appeals court reduced this to eight months in April. He is due to be released next month unless he is charged with additional crimes.
Choi is suspected of lobbying judges to reduce the penalty. In return, she initially received 5 billion won ($4.3 million) from Jung.
The corruption chain in the country's judiciary could have been covered up, if Jung had not physically assaulted Choi for failing to fulfill promises to free him on bail or a suspended term.
The suspicions surrounding Jung are now pressuring prosecutors to look into other prosecutors and judges who have been involved in the scandal.
Choi was arrested on Thursday after he refused to cooperate with prosecutors in their investigation.
It is still unclear how many prosecutors and judges Hong, Choi and Jung's other legal brokers contacted unfairly and how such activities affected investigations and rulings over the CEO.
According to insiders in legal circles, such forms of corruption have long tainted the nation's justice system.
"Former judges and prosecutors use their connections to exert influence in our justice system (in favor of their clients)," said a lawyer from the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, a progressive lawyers' group. "The scandal exposed just part of a much bigger problem."
"The scandal shows how our legal system is rigged in favor of the rich," said the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice, a civic group. It said the nation's justice system faces serious issues that will not be resolved any time soon without drastic reform.
According to a survey conducted by the Korea Institute of Criminology last year, about 80 percent of people said the rich and powerful tend to get more lenient punishments for their crimes.
A recent scandal involving Nature Republic CEO Jung Woon-ho proved that even justice can be bought for the right price in Korea.
Hong Man-pyo, a prosecutor-turned-lawyer who defended the CEO in several criminal cases, will be summoned this week for questioning, prosecutors said Sunday.
When Jung was investigated for three allegations of overseas gambling from 2013 to 2015, Hong allegedly asked prosecutors not to indict him.
Jung was not indicted until late last year, when prosecutors found out about his additional gambling activities in Macau and the Philippines.
Jung was suspected of having misappropriated company funds, but Hong allegedly peddled his influence to help Jung avoid embezzlement charges.
Jung was sentenced to one-year in prison last October, but the appeals court reduced this to eight months in April. He is due to be released next month unless he is charged with additional crimes.
Prosecutors suspect that Choi You-jeong, a judge-turned-lawyer who defended Jung along with Hong, peddled her influence to have the sentence reduced.
Choi is suspected of lobbying judges to reduce the penalty. In return, she initially received 5 billion won ($4.3 million) from Jung.
The corruption chain in the country's judiciary could have been covered up, if Jung had not physically assaulted Choi for failing to fulfill promises to free him on bail or a suspended term.
The suspicions surrounding Jung are now pressuring prosecutors to look into other prosecutors and judges who have been involved in the scandal.
Choi was arrested on Thursday after he refused to cooperate with prosecutors in their investigation.
It is still unclear how many prosecutors and judges Hong, Choi and Jung's other legal brokers contacted unfairly and how such activities affected investigations and rulings over the CEO.
According to insiders in legal circles, such forms of corruption have long tainted the nation's justice system.
"Former judges and prosecutors use their connections to exert influence in our justice system (in favor of their clients)," said a lawyer from the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, a progressive lawyers' group. "The scandal exposed just part of a much bigger problem."
"The scandal shows how our legal system is rigged in favor of the rich," said the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice, a civic group. It said the nation's justice system faces serious issues that will not be resolved any time soon without drastic reform.
According to a survey conducted by the Korea Institute of Criminology last year, about 80 percent of people said the rich and powerful tend to get more lenient punishments for their crimes.
![[INTERVIEW] Ecolab helps Korean partners profit from ESG management](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/7a924189dbb7426ab12275ba98702309.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[ANALYSIS] Has N. Korean leader's daughter been confirmed as heir apparent?](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/e65868a1b5834cc3aef853378637d1fd.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] 'Lifeline for migrant workers in Korea' - Rev. Kim fights for foreign employees' rights](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/8fb4b5d381da49df90276394550f2889.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Korea to work with US, Japan to fight climate change](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/800d9054a14b4a0f9cc576366cc1b914.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[REVIEW] Preview gala sets stage for grand premiere of 'La Rose de Versailles' musical](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/c7528d2924cd43c8a469cd46e6f56127.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
