Alphabiz=(Chicago) Reporter Kim Jisun] KT CEO Koo Hyun-mo attended an illegal sponsorship trial of members of the National Assembly in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 18th and remained silent on all reporters' questions about his future, reorganization, and executive personnel plans.
The trial claimed that Maeng, former head of the KT CR division, attended and consulted with CEO Koo in the process of "splitting sponsorship." In order to make a decision on the overall management of KT, he had to consult with Koo, who was then chief of staff. Koo denied the allegations.
Former and current executives, including CEO Koo, are suspected of raising slush funds and illegally sponsoring lawmakers by purchasing gift certificates, reselling them and cashing them from May 2014 to October 2017. The prosecution believes that the slush fund was about 1.15 billion won at the time, of which 437.9 million won was provided to 99 ruling and opposition lawmakers in their 19s and 20s.
Koo is suspected of sponsoring 13 lawmakers in his name by receiving funds from an executive in charge of the rental while serving as chief secretary of KT Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu at the time. Koo received a summary order of a total fine of 15 million won earlier this year, but filed a formal trial against it.
The trial was centered on the examination of Maeng, who attended as a witness on the prosecutor's side. Maeng claimed that a report titled "The Direction of the 20th National Assembly Response" and reference documents were provided to former chairman Hwang in 2016, and Koo was also briefed in the process.
On the other hand, CEO Koo's side questioned the credibility, saying Maeng, who attended as a witness, did not remember the situation well at the time. Maeng stated, "I accurately remember what happened before 2017, but I haven't been psychologically stable after that, so I don't remember what kind of call I made and what I talked about."
The court was scheduled to hold its final hearing in March. On the same day, CEO Koo expressed his intention to hold another trial, and decided to hold another trial in April.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
