"Conspired or Not"… Intense Legal Dispute in Yang Hyang-ja's Election Law Trial

Yang Hyang-ja Side and Special Advisor Side Clash Over 'Collusion'

Focused Questioning Expected at Witness Examination on the 20th of Next Month

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] In the second trial of National Assembly member Yang Hyang-ja, who is accused of violating the Public Official Election Act, a legal dispute between the defendants over whether there was collusion is anticipated.

The 12th Criminal Division of the Gwangju District Court (Presiding Judge No Jae-ho) held the second hearing on the 22nd for Yang Hyang-ja (Independent) and former regional office special advisor Mr. A, who are accused of violating the Public Official Election Act.

Yang was indicted on charges of colluding with Mr. A between January and February to provide fruit boxes worth approximately 1.9 million KRW as gifts to a total of 43 constituents and others.

Members of the National Assembly are prohibited from making donations to people residing in their electoral district or those with ties to the constituents in that district.

At the trial, Mr. A’s defense attorney admitted all charges including the collusion and agreed to the evidence submitted by the prosecution.

However, Yang’s defense attorney denied any collusion, creating a conflict of opinion with Mr. A’s side, who are relatives.

Yang’s defense attorney requested the court to conduct witness examinations before investigating documentary evidence, stating, "There are differences of opinion with Mr. A regarding the collusion and its process, and there are also conflicting views on the prosecution’s charges."

There was also disagreement over the witnesses proposed by the prosecution.

Yang’s defense attorney objected to one former Seoul office staff member among the prosecution’s proposed witnesses, arguing that the testimony could be obtained through other staff members.

The prosecution countered, "This witness is essential to clarify the exact circumstances of the case," but the court did not accept this argument.

The court decided to withhold the decision on this witness for now and summon them later if deemed necessary.

The prosecution applied to call Mr. A, Yang’s spouse, former advisors, and current secretaries as witnesses, while Yang’s defense applied to call a former regional office secretary-general as a witness.

The next trial will be held on the 26th at 5:30 PM for documentary evidence investigation, and on the 20th of next month at 2:00 PM, witness examinations for five prosecution witnesses will take place.

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