'Violation of Election Law' Kim Han-jung: "Liquor is Leftover... First Trial Sentence is Excessive"

On the morning of the 17th, Kim Han-jung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who was indicted for providing expensive whiskey at a meal with constituents ahead of the April 15 general election last year, is leaving the courtroom after the first hearing of the second trial held at the Seoul High Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] In the appeal trial, the side of Kim Han-jung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who was sentenced to annulment of election in the first trial for providing expensive whiskey to constituents ahead of last year's general election, argued that "the sentence is excessive."

On the 17th, Kim's defense attorney stated at the first appeal hearing held by the Criminal Division 6-1 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Yongha Kim), "The whiskey provided was leftover from consumption, and the prosecution overestimated the price of the whiskey." He also argued, "There was no conversation related to the election during the meal, and rather, unpleasant topics were discussed with the constituents, so there was no quid pro quo." The appellate court decided to summon two people who attended the meal as witnesses on the 14th of next month.

Earlier, Kim was indicted on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act for providing 30-year-old whiskey during a meal with four online local community administrators in October 2019. The first trial court sentenced him to a fine of 1.5 million won, which corresponds to annulment of election. According to the Public Official Election Act, if a member of the National Assembly is sentenced to a fine of 1 million won or more for violating the Act, the election is invalidated.

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