Mokpo Mayor Park Hong-ryul and Spouse Acquitted of Election Law Violation Charges Together

Former Mokpo Mayor Park Hong-ryul, who was indicted without detention on charges of spreading false information about his opponent during the June 1, 2020 local elections, has been acquitted by the court and will retain his mayoral position.

The 1st Criminal Division of the Mokpo Branch of the Gwangju District Court (Chief Judge Kim Tae-jun) acquitted Mayor Park, who was charged with violations of the Public Official Election Act and defamation.

Mayor Park Hong-ryul of Mokpo is giving an interview after being acquitted in front of the Mokpo Branch of the Gwangju District Court on the 13th.
[Photo by Seo Young-seo]

Mayor Park was indicted last year during the June 1 local election process for spreading false information and defamation at TV debates, election office openings, and press conferences.

Running as an independent candidate, Mayor Park was accused of spreading false information by alleging at press conferences and election office openings that a leading candidate was involved in his expulsion from the Democratic Party and that tens of billions of won were used for promoting Mokpo city administration achievements.

Additionally, during a TV debate, he was prosecuted for defamation for stating that Democratic Party National Assembly member Ahn Kyu-baek, an alumnus of the leading candidate’s university, was involved in his expulsion from the Democratic Party.

Meanwhile, on May 25, in a separate election law violation trial involving Mayor Park Hong-ryul’s wife, the prosecution sought a two-year prison sentence, but the court acquitted her.

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