Kim Hong-gul fined 800,000 won for 'asset underreporting' charge... retains parliamentary seat

Kim Hong-gul, Independent Member of Parliament / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The court sentenced independent lawmaker Kim Hong-gul to a fine of 800,000 won for underreporting his assets in the April 15 general election last year.

The Criminal Division 21 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Miri) sentenced Kim to a fine of 800,000 won at the sentencing hearing on the 16th morning, where he was tried for violating the Public Official Election Act. The court stated, "According to the evidence, all the charges are recognized as guilty," adding, "However, we took into account the fact that there is no prior related punishment and various circumstances of similar cases" as reasons for sentencing.

By receiving a fine of 800,000 won, he retained his position as a lawmaker. Elected officials lose their office if they are sentenced to a fine of 1 million won or more for violating the Public Official Election Act. Previously, the prosecution requested a fine of 1.5 million won for Kim at the closing arguments.

Kim, the third son of former President Kim Dae-jung, was indicted on charges of underreporting a commercial building worth about 1.2 billion won located in Daehyeon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, held under his spouse's name, as 192 million won in the asset disclosure before the general election, and omitting a rental deposit of 710 million won for an apartment in Irwon-dong, Gangnam-gu (violation of the Public Official Election Act). Subsequently, Kim was expelled from the Democratic Party.

Kim's side has claimed innocence, arguing that the underreporting of assets was a simple mistake by an employee and did not affect the election outcome.

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