Im Jong-seong, a former member of the Democratic Party, has been sentenced to two years in prison by the Seoul Eastern District Court for accepting bribes totaling approximately 115 million won from two construction companies in his electoral district from November 2019 to May 2021. The court also ordered him to pay a forfeiture of around 185 million won. The ruling highlighted the need for strict punishment due to the breach of public trust associated with elected officials, despite considering that Im had already been convicted of election law violations.

During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence that Im had received benefits, including expenses for the renovation of his election office, equipment, and even cosmetic surgery, totaling over 101 million won. Additionally, it was revealed that he had misused a corporate credit card belonging to a local business representative. However, the court noted that it found no conclusive evidence that Im was aware of overcharges related to the construction project prices, thereby dismissing some of the charges against him regarding the renovation costs.

The court's decision reflects ongoing concerns regarding corruption and ethics among public officials in South Korea, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining high moral standards in governance. Im's case contributes to the broader discourse on political accountability and public trust in elected representatives, potentially influencing future legislative changes around corruption regulations in South Korea.