Sangcheol Lee, Gokseong County Governor, Denies Charges in First Election Law Trial

Former Gokseong County Governor Lee Sang-cheol, who was indicted on charges of providing food to election staff after the local elections, denied the charges at his first trial.

The 12th Criminal Division of the Gwangju District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Sang-gyu) held the first trial on the 10th for Lee and 22 others, including election campaign officials, who were indicted on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act (bribery and inducement).

Lee was prosecuted for being involved in providing food worth approximately 5.33 million won to 66 people, including election staff, during a celebration meeting at a Korean beef specialty restaurant in Gokseong County, Jeollanam-do, on June 8 last year.

At that time, the meal payment was made using a corporate card belonging to an acquaintance of Lee.

Under the Public Official Election Act, candidates and others may provide actual expenses to election staff but are prohibited from offering return gifts, presents, or meals.

The prosecution believes that the parties conspired to provide return meals in connection with the election campaign.

Lee’s defense attorney argued, "Lee believed that the meal expenses could be properly accounted for by the election office," and added, "He was completely unaware that an acquaintance paid with a corporate card."

He also stated, "The gathering took place after the election campaign had ended and is unrelated to the campaign," and "It was a customary, everyday event and does not violate social norms."

The second trial is scheduled for 3 p.m. on the 21st of next month in the same courtroom.

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