Roh's aide acquitted of bribery charges

SEOUL, May 1 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul appellate court on Friday upheld a lower court's
decision to clear an aide of former president Roh Moo-hyun of bribery charges
linked to a local shipping company.

Jung Sang-moon, who served as presidential secretary for administrative affairs
during the Roh presidency, was indicted for taking 100 million won (US$77,000) in
2004 from a shipping company executive in return for promising to help the
company avoid a tax probe.
The Seoul High Court acquitted Jung of bribery charges, saying "There is no
decisive evidence other than the executive's statement. Given financial records,
the court recognizes that Jung gave the money back."
Separately from the case, Jung was arrested last month for allegedly embezzling
some 1.25 billion won from the coffers of the presidential office and taking 300
million won in bribes from a corrupt businessman known as Roh's financial
supporter.
brk@yna.co.kr
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