Rep. Lee Chae-ik's Supreme Court Verdict on Election Law Violation... 700,000 Won Fine in Appeal Trial

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The Supreme Court is set to deliver its final verdict on Rep. Lee Chae-ik of the People Power Party, who was indicted for gathering people and soliciting support during the party primary ahead of the April 15 general election last year.

On the 8th, the Supreme Court's 2nd Division (Presiding Justice Min Yusook) will hold a sentencing hearing for Lee, who was indicted on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act.

Rep. Lee was brought to trial for gathering people at the election office and soliciting support during the party primary for the April 15 general election last March. According to the Public Official Election Act, during party primaries, campaign activities are limited to installing election office signs, distributing business cards, sending promotional materials, and holding debates.

Additionally, Lee is accused of issuing a false press release denying that he made a statement comparing his rival candidate to the North Korean Kim Jong-un family during the gathering.

The first trial court stated, "Since Rep. Lee has experience running in multiple elections, it is presumed he was aware of the restrictions on campaign methods during primaries," but ruled that "the violation was minor," sentencing him to a fine of 700,000 won. Regarding the false information charge, the court acquitted him, saying, "It was made in the course of responding or explaining during the dispute."

The second trial court upheld the first trial's judgment. The court overturned the guilty verdict in the first trial due to changes in the prosecution's indictment but imposed the same fine of 700,000 won as in the first trial.

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