'Distortion of Primary Poll Results' Jeong Bong-ju Sentenced to Fine in First Trial

Former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju, who was prosecuted for distorting the results of an internal party primary opinion poll during last year's 22nd general election and publishing it on YouTube, was sentenced to a fine.

Seoul Northern District Court building.

The 11th Criminal Division of the Seoul Northern District Court (Chief Judge Lee Dong-sik) sentenced Jeong, who was charged with violating the Public Official Election Act, to a fine of 3 million won on the 28th. Yang, a YouTube channel official who was also charged with the same offense, received a fine of 2 million won.

In February last year, during the Democratic Party's primary for the Gangbuk-eul district in Seoul, former lawmaker Jeong announced the results of an opinion poll targeting active voters with a small gap in support rates against his competitor, former lawmaker Park Yong-jin, as if it were a survey of all eligible voters.

The court stated, "The defendants claim that the offense was solely committed by Yang and that there was no conspiracy, but considering the messages exchanged and phone call records between the defendants, conspiracy is recognized and they are found guilty," adding, "In light of the purpose of the Public Official Election Act, the culpability is not light."

Outside the courtroom, former lawmaker Jeong told reporters, "The sentence was harsher than expected, and none of the defense's arguments were accepted," and said he plans to appeal.

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