By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter
The prosecution sought a four-year prison term and a 30-billion-won fine for the former Taekwang CEO Park Yeon-cha, Wednesday, on charges of tax evasion and bribery. Park had allegedly lavished expensive gifts and cash on the late former President Roh Moo-hyun.
The Supreme Prosecutors' Office said Park's cooperation in the investigation, confession to the charges and worsening health were reflected in the "light" punishment requested.
The 64-year-old was indicted last December on charges of evading taxes totaling 29 billion won and giving two billion won in bribes to the CEO of a state financial firm in exchange for his help in a bid to take over a chemical firm at below market price.
In June, Park was additionally charged with bribing high-ranking government officials including some presidential secretaries. The Seoul Central District will hand down a verdict next Wednesday.
In a related case, prosecutors sought a three-million-won fine for Rep. Kim Jung-kwon of the governing Grand National Party for receiving illegal funds from Park.
Kim was indicted without physical detention in June on charges of receiving 20 million won from four businessmen in March last year. Prosecutors claimed the former Taekwang CEO ordered them to give the money.
"Despite the irrefutable evidence, Kim denied the charge," a prosecutor said in the final hearing, citing why a heavier penalty was sought. But his lawyer, Rep. Hong Joon-pyo, refuted the allegation, arguing he was a victim of a politically-motivated investigation. The ruling is scheduled for Sept. 25.