Mayor Heo Seok Sentenced to 1 Year and 6 Months Imprisonment by Prosecutors

Defense Attorney Argues Not Guilty and Requests Suspended Sentence
Sentencing Hearing Scheduled for 15th of This Month at 2 PM

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] On the 1st at 2 p.m., during the trial held at the Gwangju District Court Suncheon Branch Criminal Division 2, the prosecution demanded a sentence of 1 year and 6 months imprisonment for Heo Seok, Mayor of Suncheon, 1 year and 6 months imprisonment for former editor-in-chief Jeong, and 1 year imprisonment for former accounting officer Park, on charges of embezzling national subsidies from the Regional Newspaper Development Committee.

Mayor Heo was indicted in July 2019 on charges of fraudulently receiving and embezzling approximately 160 million KRW from the Regional Newspaper Development Committee by falsely claiming that the funds would be used for newspaper staff salaries during his tenure as the representative of the "Suncheon Citizens' Newspaper."

At the trial, the defense argued for acquittal for Mayor Heo and suspended sentences for the two defendants.

They claimed that, strictly speaking, the crime of fraud under criminal law was not established.

The defense also argued for the application of the Local Subsidy Finance Act, citing precedents involving misuse of subsidies.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. on the 15th of this month.

During the trial, Mayor Heo consistently testified that he had intended to close the "Suncheon Citizens' Newspaper," but his juniors insisted on continuing it, so he withdrew from management after 2005, when the newspaper began receiving subsidies.

He also firmly denied the charges through consistent testimony regarding the issues raised by the prosecution.

Mayor Heo testified in court that he had supported the "Suncheon Citizens' Newspaper," launched in 2001, with monthly donations of 2 to 3 million KRW, and from 2005, when the Regional Newspaper Development Committee began subsidizing subscription fees, he donated about 10 million KRW annually.

The prosecution stated, "Mayor Heo received development funds for local newspapers by claiming to pay salaries to freelance experts and intern reporters at the newspaper and embezzled the funds. Although he had no intention to pay them, he paid and then reclaimed the money, which demonstrates intent and purpose."

A citizen, Mr. A, who observed the trial, said, "I expect the court to make a rational judgment, strict legal interpretation, and a trial based on conscience."

Meanwhile, it is known that recently some local civic groups and citizens submitted petitions to the court appealing for Mayor Heo's acquittal and leniency, hoping that the Suncheon city administration would not be hindered.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.