'Violation of Election Law' Lee Eun-ju, Justice Party Lawmaker, Sentenced to Probation in First Trial

Lee Eun-joo, floor leader of the Justice Party, is speaking at a members' meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 22nd of last month. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Lee Eunju, the floor leader of the Justice Party, who was prosecuted for violating the Public Official Election Act during the party primary campaign, was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the first trial. According to current law, elected officials such as members of the National Assembly lose their seats if they are sentenced to a fine of 1 million won or more for violating the Public Official Election Act or the Political Funds Act.

On the morning of the 7th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21-3 (Presiding Judges Jang Yongbeom, Ma Seongyoung, Kim Jeonggon) sentenced Lee, the floor leader, who was indicted for violating the Public Official Election Act and the Political Funds Act, to 10 months in prison with a 2-year suspension.

The court stated, "As the ultimate beneficiary of the election campaign, she had the responsibility to prevent related illegal acts, but she committed acts directly contrary to this," and added, "She significantly influenced the election results by receiving the 5th position on the proportional representation recommendation in the party primary and being elected as a member."

The court further said, "Despite being investigated and reported by the election commission staff, she committed additional offenses and attempted to conceal related evidence," and "She denies all objectively revealed criminal facts and does not show an attitude of remorse."

At the last sentencing hearing, the prosecution requested the court to sentence the defendant to 1 year and 6 months in prison.

On the other hand, Lee’s defense attorney argued, "The current Public Official Election Act does not reflect reality," and "The defendants have long been involved in labor union activities and thus were not well aware of the law." In her final statement, Lee said, "Our country's election system excessively regulates unnecessary parts," and requested, "I ask the court to consider the political reality and make a fair and wise judgment."

Lee was prosecuted for violating the Public Official Election Act during the Justice Party proportional representation party primary campaign from September 2019 to March 2020 while serving as the policy director of the Seoul Transportation Corporation labor union. Lee’s side was investigated for setting up a similar election office and making support solicitation calls to party members at night. She was also indicted for illegally receiving 3.12 million won in political funds from 77 union members of the corporation from September to November 2019 (violation of the Political Funds Act) and for providing meals worth about 370,000 won to the campaign members (violation of the prohibition of donation acts).

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