‘Good Money’ Lawmaker Loses Appeal

The Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling on February 10 that sentenced Lawmaker Shin Gye-ryun of the ruling Uri Party to eight months in prison, two years probation, and a 55 million won fines on charges of accepting illegal funds from Good Money, a loan service company.

Shin also lost his lawmaker post according to the election law that says a legislator sentenced to more than confinement on charges other than violations of the election law has to step down. In addition, he will lose the right to run for office for two years.

A court spokesperson said, “Lawmakers have to face penalties if they receive political contributions directly from individuals or corporations.”

Shin was prosecuted without detention for not issuing a contribution receipt after receiving five million won illegally from ex-Good Money chairman Kim Young-hoon in November 2002, and an additional 300 million won in December.

Without him, the Uri Party now holds 143 seats in the Assembly. The main opposition Grand National party has 126 seats; 11 are held by the Democratic Party, nine by the Democratic Labor Party, five by the People First Party, one by the Liberal Democratic Union, and two seats are independently held.

Jin-Kyun Kil leon@donga.com