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A former veterans minister and grandson of one of the most revered patriots Tuesday denied charges he helped a foreign defense firm win a bid to build military helicopters in exchange for kickbacks.
Kim Yang, former head of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, is suspected to have lobbied senior military officers to pick the Anglo-Italian AW159 Wildcat as its new multi-mission maritime helicopter, while receiving 1.4 billion won ($1.22 million) from the company.
The 62-year-old was hired at AgustaWestland, the multinational helicopter design and manufacturing company in 2011, right after South Korea decided to purchase 20 helicopters to boost anti-submarine capabilities.
The indictment is part of the prosecution's investigation into widespread corruption in the defense industry.
A special investigation team -- comprised of government, military and prosecution officials -- has cracked down on corruption in the defense industry after a series of shady deals came to light over the past year.
"While the special investigation team has eagerly continued its probe for over six months, no proof of illegal funds has been found," Kim's lawyer told a court hearing. "What the prosecutors claimed were bribes were legitimate payments."
A separate controversy arose after it was found one of Kim's lawyers, Park Jae-hyun, previously worked at the same courts as presiding Judge Hyun Yong-seon.
Kim has previously hired 10 lawyers who have personal relations with Judge Hyun, such as being alumni.
When the Seoul Central District Court recently transformed the justice department to avoid nepotism, all of them resigned.
Kim is a grandson of Kim Koo, a famous freedom fighter during Japan's colonial rule of Korea who was assassinated by an ultra-right-wing military officer in 1949. (Yonhap)
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