Choi, a former executive of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), is suspected of bribing public officials in the Saemangeum floating solar power project and has been sentenced to a fine in the first trial.
The Northern District Court of Seoul, presided over by Director General Jo Mi-ok, sentenced Choi to a fine of 2 million won on the 13th for charges including bribery. The court acknowledged the charge of bribery as guilty, but ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove the charge of embezzlement.
The court noted regarding Choi's bribery charge that he conspired to respond to a request from energy officials at KHNP to provide gift certificates and provided gift certificates worth 600,000 won under various pretexts, including the provision of various conveniences to Kim.
Regarding the embezzlement charge, the court stated, 'There was no contract written in the process of determining the service payment amount, and no evidence capable of objectively recognizing this has been submitted,' adding that 'there is insufficient evidence to see the service amount as excessive or to consider it as the victim's funds.'
Choi was dispatched to Saemangeum Solar Power, established by KHNP and Hyundai Global in 2019, and served as the project manager for about two years. He is accused of embezzling approximately 243 million won in slush funds by inflating the payment for project-related design and permitting services and receiving cash in return.
Previously, the prosecution has been investigating Choi for lobbying influential figures, including the close aides of local government heads, with the slush funds he created, and for allegedly asking to appease complaints from civic groups during the solar power project.