Court Sentences Heoseok Heo, Mayor of Suncheon, to Probation for Newspaper Fund Misuse Charges

Heo Seok, Mayor of Suncheon.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Former Suncheon Mayor Heo Seok, who was prosecuted for fraud for embezzling newspaper development funds during his time as a regional newspaper representative, was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the first trial. If the first trial sentence is upheld, Mayor Heo will lose his mayoral position.

On the 15th, Judge Jang Yoon-mi of the Criminal Division 2 at the Suncheon Branch of the Gwangju District Court sentenced Mayor Heo, who was indicted on fraud charges, to 10 months in prison with a 2-year suspension.

Judge Jang stated, "The defendant obstructed other newspapers' participation in regional development fund support, the crime period lasted for seven years, and the damage amounting to 160 million won has not been recovered, indicating a serious nature of the offense."

Mayor Heo was charged with embezzling 160 million won of regional newspaper development funds, which were paid over seven years from 2006 for personnel expenses of freelance experts and intern reporters at the newspaper company while he was a regional newspaper representative.

At the sentencing hearing held on the 1st, the prosecution demanded a prison term of 1 year and 6 months for Mayor Heo.

The defense argued, "After being selected by the Regional Newspaper Development Committee, he did not participate in newspaper management, and the freelance experts and intern reporters voluntarily donated for the newspaper," but this was not accepted.

Mayor Heo stated immediately after the trial, "I will appeal."

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