GNP lawmaker convicted of taking illegal donation, could lose seat

SEOUL, Dec. 24 (Yonhap) -- A senior lawmaker of the ruling Grand National Party
has been found guilty of taking an illegal donation from a scandal-ridden
businessman, court officials said Thursday, a ruling that could strip him of his
seat.
Rep. Park Jin was indicted in June on charges of receiving about $29,000 from
Park Yeon-cha, the former chairman of Taekwang Industry, who was involved in the
wide-ranging bribery scandal that closed in around former President Roh Moo-hyun
before his suicide.
Park Yeon-cha is currently under arrest on bribery charges.
The Seoul Central District Court convicted the three-term lawmaker of violating
the political fund law, and ordered him to pay 3 million won (US$2,500) in fines
and to forfeit 23 million won, court officials said.
Under the current election law, a jail term or a fine of over 1 million won
results in the nullification of parliamentary seats if confirmed by the Supreme
Court.
Rep. Park, chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs, Trade and
Unification Committee, is well known for his advocacy of the South Korea-U.S.
free trade agreement and pro-American policies, as well as for his close
political relationship with President Lee Myung-bak.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
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