Suspended Sentence Finalized for Former Incheon Mayor Ahn Sangsoo Over 100 Million Won Payment to PR Agent During Presidential Primary
Ahn's Spouse Sentenced to One Year in Prison
Supreme Court: "No Error in Lower Court's Judgment"
The suspended prison sentence for former Incheon Mayor Ahn Sangsoo, who stood trial on charges of handing over 100 million won to a public relations agency during the People Power Party's 2021 presidential primary campaign in an attempt to secure the nomination, has been finalized.
On May 29, the Supreme Court's Third Division (Presiding Justice Noh Kyungpil) upheld the lower court's ruling, which sentenced former Mayor Ahn to one year in prison, suspended for two years, for violating the Public Official Election Act. The one-year prison sentence for Ahn's spouse, identified as Kim, was also confirmed. The Supreme Court stated, "The lower court did not misunderstand the legal principles regarding the establishment of the crime of violating the Public Official Election Act."
From June 2021 to January 2022, Ahn was indicted without detention on charges of handing over a total of 113 million won to the head of a public relations agency on ten occasions during the People Power Party's presidential primary. The head of the agency claimed to have managed publicity for Representative Yoon Sanghyun, who defeated Ahn in the April 15, 2020 general election. Investigations found that Ahn instructed the agency head to report allegations related to Representative Yoon to a broadcasting company.
Both the first and second instance courts found Ahn's spouse, Kim, guilty of handing over 68 million won to the agency head with the intent of securing Ahn's nomination in the People Power Party's presidential primary. However, the courts found Kim not guilty of the charges of promising to pay 15 million won per month and of promising to provide a mixed-use residential and commercial building.
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The first trial sentenced Ahn to one year in prison, suspended for two years, and Kim to one year and six months in prison, but the second trial reduced the sentences. Both the prosecution and Ahn's side appealed the lower court's decision, but the Supreme Court found no fault with the lower court's judgment and dismissed all appeals.
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