60s Fined for Distributing Maesaengi Ahead of National Assembly Election

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Ju Cheol-in] A man in his 60s who was indicted for making donations to constituents ahead of the general election was sentenced to a fine.

The Criminal Division 2 of Changwon District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Jeong-hyun) announced on the 23rd that it sentenced A (63), who was tried for sending maesaengi sets to constituents to help the election of a candidate he supported ahead of the April 15 general election last year (violation of the Public Official Election Act), to a fine of 3 million won.

Mr. A donated 156 maesaengi sets worth 5.46 million won to constituents from August to September 2019 to help the election of Candidate Han from Gimhae, Gyeongnam, whom he supported.

The court stated, "Election-related donations have a high risk of distorting voters' rational choices, thereby undermining the fairness and transparency of elections," and ruled, "Considering that it is difficult to see that the defendant's donation had a significant impact on the election results, the sentence is determined comprehensively."

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