'Employment Pressure Allegation' Former Ulju County Governor Shin Jang-yeol Acquitted in Second Trial

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Former Ulju County Governor Shin Jang-yeol, who was indicted on charges of exerting external pressure on the recruitment of employees at a basic local government-affiliated organization, overturned the first trial's suspended prison sentence and was acquitted in the appellate trial.

The 1st Criminal Appeals Division of the Busan High Court (Presiding Judge Park Jong-hoon) acquitted former Governor Shin, who was tried for obstruction of business, on the 24th.

The court found it difficult to fully trust the testimony of the industrial complex headquarters director, the sole piece of evidence. Although the director initially stated to the investigative agency that he received recruitment instructions or requests, he reversed his statement or said "I don't remember" in the second trial court, showing inconsistency.

Additionally, the court cited the absence of phone call records or text messages that could indicate a request between former Governor Shin and the industrial complex headquarters director.

The court explained the reason for the verdict, stating, "Since the only evidence supporting the charges cannot be fully trusted, the charges cannot be proven."

Former Governor Shin was indicted on charges of receiving requests from relatives or acquaintances during his tenure as governor from 2014 to 2015 and instructing the then Ulju County Facilities Management Corporation headquarters director to "take care of them," resulting in the unfair acceptance of three people as corporation employees. The first trial held in February last year sentenced him to one year in prison with a two-year suspension.

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