Election Law Violation: Gang Jong-man, Mayor of Yeonggwang-gun, Loses Position in First Trial

Former Yeonggwang County Governor Kang Jong-man was sentenced to a fine corresponding to the loss of his position for donating money with the intent to win the 8th June 1st Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections.

The 12th Criminal Division of the Gwangju District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Sang-gyu) sentenced Governor Kang to a fine of 2 million won on the 23rd for violating the Public Official Election Act.

If an elected public official is convicted of violating the Public Official Election Act in their election and receives a confirmed fine of 1 million won or more, their election is invalidated.

Governor Kang was indicted for donating 1 million won to constituents in January last year, saying "Please take good care of me" during the June 1st local elections.

Governor Kang claimed, "I was not a candidate in the local election, so there was no illegality."

The court ruled guilty, stating, "The time when Governor Kang expressed his intention to run and the time of the donation were only a month apart, which is sufficient to objectively recognize his intention to run. The intentionality of the donation is fully acknowledged."

The court added, "Considering that Governor Kang knew the election law but still undermined the fairness of the election, and his prior record of punishment for bribery, the sentence was determined accordingly."

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