'Election Interference' Former Police Chief Kang Shin-myung and Others First Trial Sentencing Postponed... Resumption of Defense Arguments

Former National Police Chiefs Kang Shin-myung (left) and Lee Cheol-sung, accused of illegal interference in the parliamentary elections during former President Park Geun-hye's administration [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The first trial sentencing schedule for former Police Chief Kang Shin-myung and others, who are accused of illegally interfering in the National Assembly elections during the Park Geun-hye administration, has been postponed.

On the 15th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 27 (Presiding Judges Kim Seon-il, Kim Tae-gyun, Lee Seung-hoon) was scheduled to hold the sentencing hearing for former Chief Kang, former Police Chief Lee Cheol-sung, and former Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Hyun Ki-hwan, who were indicted for violating the Public Official Election Act. However, the court decided to resume arguments for additional examination. The next hearing date was set for April 25.

Since a change in the composition of the presiding judges is planned due to the court's regular personnel reshuffle on the 21st, and Presiding Judge Kim Seon-il is also scheduled to retire, it is expected that the sentencing will take several more months.

At the previous closing arguments, the prosecution requested the court to sentence former Chief Kang to four years in prison, former Chief Lee to three years, and former Senior Secretary Hyun to three years.

Earlier, former Chief Kang and others were brought to trial on charges of collecting tailored election information and establishing election strategies for the pro-Park (pro-Park Geun-hye) faction during the 20th general election in April 2016, violating the Public Official Election Act. They are also accused of designating progressive education superintendents critical of the Blue House and ruling party, as well as some members of the National Human Rights Commission, as 'leftists' and conducting surveillance on them from 2012 to 2016.

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