Prosecution Requests 5 Million Won Fine for Busan Mayor Park Hyung-jun on Election Law Violation Charges

Park Hyung-jun, Mayor of Busan

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The prosecution has requested a fine of 5 million won for Park Hyung-jun, the mayor of Busan, who is on trial for violating the Public Official Election Act.

On the 18th, the prosecution asked the court to sentence Mayor Park to a fine of 5 million won at the sentencing hearing held by the Criminal Division 6 of the Busan District Court (Chief Judge Kim Tae-eop).

Mayor Park is accused of publicly announcing false information by denying involvement in illegal surveillance related to the National Intelligence Service's civilian surveillance orders concerning the Four Major Rivers Project during the April 7 by-election last year.

On the day, the prosecutor argued, "The defendant could not have been unaware of the NIS's surveillance of the Four Major Rivers Project carried out while he was serving as the Blue House Public Relations Officer in 2009, and despite receiving reports on the matter, he falsely stated that no such surveillance occurred," adding, "The publication of false information under the election law is a serious crime that distorts voters' intentions and undermines fair elections."

On the other hand, Mayor Park's defense counsel countered, "There is no fact that he was involved in any illegal surveillance orders related to the Four Major Rivers Project or anything else," and further argued, "In particular, the prosecution has not specified to whom the surveillance orders were given or who reported them."

The first trial sentencing hearing is scheduled for the morning of the 19th of next month.

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