'Use of Unreported Donations' by Assemblyman Kim Seon-gyo, Facing 'Loss of Assembly Seat' Crisis

Court, "Assemblyman Kim acquitted · Accounting officer fined 8 million won" verdict announced

People Power Party Representative Kim Seon-gyo (Yeoju·Yangpyeong) [Captured from Representative Kim Seon-gyo's Band]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] The first trial court acquitted Representative Kim Seon-gyo, who was prosecuted for violating the Political Funds Act and the Public Official Election Act. However, the court sentenced Kim's accounting manager to a fine that would result in the loss of his parliamentary seat, putting Representative Kim at risk of losing his position.

The Criminal Division of the Suwon District Court Yeoju Branch (Chief Judge Jo Jeong-ung) acquitted Kim Seon-gyo (Yeoju·Yangpyeong) of the People Power Party, who was indicted without detention for violating the Political Funds Act and the Public Official Election Act, while sentencing the accounting manager A, who was indicted together, to a fine of 8 million won for violating the Political Funds Act.

In the judgment, the court stated, "Apart from the testimony of the fundraiser accounting manager B, there is insufficient evidence to recognize that Representative Kim was aware of the use of unreported donations, and the probative value of B's testimony cannot be considered high," explaining the reason for the acquittal.

Regarding A, the court explained the sentencing reason, saying, "It is clear that the election expense overspending, which is the fact of the indictment, occurred, and the omission of accounting reporting is also acknowledged."

Earlier, the prosecution requested a sentence of 1 year and 6 months imprisonment and confiscation of about 48 million won for Representative Kim, and 8 months imprisonment for A.

Representative Kim and others were indicted for raising funds exceeding the annual limit of 150 million won between March and April before the April 15 general election last year, and for failing to issue receipts for cash donations.

Representative Kim said, "Since there is room for dispute, such as the accounting manager claiming ignorance of the omission of accounting reports, I understand that an appeal will be filed."

If a fine of 3 million won or more is confirmed for A in the second trial, Representative Kim will lose his parliamentary seat.

Meanwhile, the court sentenced fundraiser accounting manager B and one election campaign staff member, who were indicted together, to 1 year and 6 months imprisonment with 2 years probation, and fined two other related persons between 5 million and 8 million won.

Additionally, 12 party association committee members who illegally paid election campaign allowances were fined 2 million won each, and 39 individuals who illegally received election campaign allowances were fined between 1.5 million and 2 million won with confiscations ranging from 300,000 to 1 million won respectively.

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