Former lawmaker Son Hye-won was sentenced to a fine of 10 million won at the appeals trial held at the Seoul Southern District Court today.
Sohn was handed over to trial in June of last year on charges of buying real estate under the name of an acquaintance after receiving data from Mokpo city's urban regeneration project in May and September 2017 in advance, and also on charges of buying real estate under a borrowed name.
The key issue was whether the urban regeneration project data received from Mokpo City in the process of purchasing the real estate was confidential or whether the real estate was purchased for the purpose of profiting from the market price. It was judged that the purchase of real estate in Mokpo could not be viewed solely for market profit, and was acquitted for violating the Anti-Corruption Act.
However, he pleaded guilty to the charge of violating the Real Name Real Estate Act by borrowing the name of his nephew to purchase land and buildings in Mokpo.
In the first trial, Rep. Son was found guilty of both charges and was sentenced to one year and six months in prison, but he was not detained in court to ensure the right to defense.
(Photo = Yonhap News)