Ando Geol Faces Fierce Legal Battle in Appeals Trial over Illegal Primary Allegations

Prosecution Argues Lower Court Ruling Was Unjust
Next Hearing to Conclude on June 9

Ando-gul Ahn, a member of the Democratic Party representing Gwangju Donggu Namgu Eul, is giving a statement in front of the courtroom building at the Gwangju District Court after being acquitted in the first trial on January 30th in the afternoon on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act and others. Photo by Min Hyunki

The first appeals trial has begun for Ando Geol, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Gwangju Dongnam-eul, who was acquitted in the first trial after being indicted on charges, including violations of the Public Official Election Act.

The 2nd Criminal Division of the Gwangju High Court, presided over by Judge Hwang Jinhee, held the first appeals hearing on the 24th for Assemblyman Ando and around 10 other defendants, including his relative, identified as A, who were indicted for violations of the Election Act, the Political Funds Act, and the Personal Information Protection Act.

Assemblyman Ando, in alleged collusion with his relative A and others, was indicted for having illegally sent approximately 50,000 campaign solicitation text messages during the party’s parliamentary candidate primary between December 2023 and February 2024. He is also accused of providing campaign workers with monetary and in-kind rewards worth about 25.54 million won, and of receiving around 43 million won from A’s corporate funds under the pretense of think tank operating expenses. Additionally, he is charged with obtaining the personal information of 431 constituents from an acquaintance engaged in online sales.

In the first trial, the court stated, "It can be regarded that the defendant was aware of and permitted text message deliveries and other campaign activities for his own election, but there is insufficient evidence to prove that he recognized or intentionally committed any illegal methods or prohibited acts." Assemblyman Ando was acquitted of all charges. Meanwhile, A, who was indicted alongside him, received a sentence of one year in prison, suspended for two years.

The prosecution appealed, citing factual misunderstandings, misapplication of the law, and the inappropriateness of the sentencing.

At the hearing, the prosecution argued, "The lower court’s ruling did not provide any grounds for accepting the defendants’ claims," and asserted, "We will prove the charges through witness examination of relative A and the former accounting manager."

On the other hand, Assemblyman Ando and the other defendants insisted that the prosecution must clearly specify the purpose of the witness examinations and requested that the court conclude the hearings promptly.

The court indicated its intention to close the hearings regardless of whether further procedures, such as additional witness examinations, are conducted at the next trial. The next trial for these defendants is scheduled for June 9.

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