Ex-spy chief gets 2-year prison term for corruption

Former National Intelligence Service chief Won Sei-hoon was on Wednesday sentenced to two years in prison on charges of corruption.

Along with the prison term, the Seoul Central District Court imposed a penalty of about 163 million won ($153,000) on the former spy chief.

The corruption charges were brought against Won early last year, who is also on trial for suspicions of violating the Public Official Election Act, leading to his indictment in July.

The trial on Won’s alleged attempts at influencing the 2012 presidential election is set to continue on Jan. 27.

In the corruption case, Won allegedly received large amounts of cash and gifts from Hwang Bo-yeon, the head of the bankrupt Hwangbo Construction between 2009 and 2010.

In return, Won is accused of using his influence as the NIS chief to help Hwang’s company win a contract from the retail giant Homeplus.

Won was accused of taking 120 million won and $40,000 in cash, as well as figurines of pure gold weighing about 75 grams and other gifts. The court, however, found Won only partially guilty, acquitting him of the charges regarding the gifts.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)