Prosecutors demand pecuniary penalty for ex-prosecutor over cash scandal
By YonhapPublished : Nov. 14, 2017 - 11:36
Prosecutors asked a Seoul court Tuesday to hand down a pecuniary penalty of 5 million won ($4,471) to a former ranking prosecutor accused of giving cash to his subordinates at a private dinner earlier this year.
Lee Young-ryeol, ex-chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, stands accused of offering an envelope containing up to 1 million won to lower-level officials during a supper in April.
He was removed from his office by the justice ministry and indicted in June on charges of violating the anti-graft law that mainly bans public officials from exchanging any gifts from those related to their jobs.
The incident was put under scrutiny since it involved prosecutors who were investigating a corruption scandal involving former President Park Geun-hye.
Lee had been in charge of the special probe team leading Park's case, and a justice ministry official who received his money is known to be close to a former presidential aide and a key figure in the scandal. The ministry official has also been fired. (Yonhap)