Park Hee-tae (Yonhap News)
Former National Assembly Speaker Park Hee-tae reportedly pleaded guilty to charges that he ordered his aide to provide money to a lawmaker before a ruling party leadership election.
Park resigned in February after lawmaker Koh Seung-duck alleged that Park’s secretary left an envelope containing 3 million won in his office, possibly seeking his vote for Park in an election to choose the chair of the then-Grand National Party in 2008.
He was indicted in the same month for violation of the law on political parties.
Park sent a letter of opinion to a court admitting to all charges, his legal representative Kim Tae-young was quoted as saying by a newspaper on Friday. He wants to conclude the case as early as possible, the lawyer said.
The first court hearing is scheduled for Monday.
It was the first time a legislative chief stepped down over a money-related scandal.
By Yoon Min-sik
(minsikyoon@heralm.com)
박희태 고백, '한나라당 대회때 돈봉투 돌려'
박희태 전 국회의장이 2008년 한나라당 (현 새누리당) 전당대회 당시 의원들에게 돈봉투를 돌린 혐의를 인정했다.
박 전 의장의 변호인은 4일 “혐의를 모두 인정한다”는 박 전 의장의 답변서를 제출하며 “선처를 바란다”는 내용을 포함한 것으로 알려졌다.
이에 앞서 박 전 의장은 지난 3~4월 열린 3차례의 공판준비기일에서 검찰이 제출한 증거에 모두 동의했다.
박 전 의장은 지난 2월, ‘돈봉투’사건과 관련해 비난 여론이 커지자 의장직에서 사퇴했는데, 당시에는 혐의를 인정하지 않았다. (코리아헤럴드)