'Election Law Violation' Lee Byeong-no, Damyang County Governor, Sentenced to Election Nullification in First Trial

Former Damyang County Governor Lee Byeong-no, who was indicted for providing legal services to camp officials who provided meals during the 8th June 1st Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections, was sentenced to a disqualification from election.

The Criminal Division 12 of Gwangju District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Sang-gyu) sentenced Lee Byeong-no, Damyang County Governor, to a fine of 5 million KRW on the afternoon of the 8th for violating the Public Official Election Act.

Eight election camp officials who were indicted together were sentenced to fines ranging from 1 million to 3 million KRW.

Governor Lee was indicted for illegal donation by giving 200,000 KRW in condolence money to an acquaintance on March 6 last year, ahead of the June 1 local elections, and for providing legal services equivalent to 2.25 million KRW per person in attorney fees to eight election camp officials who paid for meals or were involved in election campaigning while they were under police investigation.

The court stated, "Governor Lee, who is required to have a high sense of compliance, committed illegal donations to the residents and provided benefits to election campaign workers, which is a serious offense. Considering the denial of the charges, the violation of the legislative intent of the Public Official Election Act, and other factors, the sentence was determined."

If an elected public official receives a fine of 1 million KRW or more for violating the Public Official Election Act and the sentence is confirmed by the Supreme Court, the election is invalidated.

Governor Lee plans to appeal the first trial verdict.

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