[Summary] 'Mother's Funeral' Ahn Hee-jung Temporarily Released at Night, Ruling Party Visits... President Moon's Floral Tribute

Condolences from Jeong Se-gyun, Park Won-soon, Lee In-young, Park Ji-won, and Kim Boo-kyum

Former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung arrived at the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital, where his mother's wake was held, early morning on the 6th, responding to reporters' questions.

Ahn, who is currently incarcerated at Gwangju Prison, was granted a suspension of sentence execution due to his mother's death. The period lasts until 5 p.m. on the 9th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Following the 'Me too' (Me too·I was also a victim) accusation by his female secretary, former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung, who was sentenced to prison and incarcerated, received visits from ruling party figures at his mother's funeral home.

On the afternoon of the 5th, at the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the late mother of former Governor Ahn was laid to rest, condolence wreaths were placed from President Moon Jae-in, Mrs. Kwon Yang-sook, wife of the late President Roh Moo-hyun, National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug, Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan, and floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon.

Lee In-young, a Democratic Party lawmaker and junior alumnus of Korea University to former Governor Ahn, visited the funeral hall at Seoul National University to pay his respects that afternoon.

On the 5th, a condolence wreath from President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kwon Yang-sook was placed at the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital, where the late former Governor Ahn Hee-jung's mother was lying in repose. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee In-young, the nominee for Minister of Unification, said on his way out after paying respects, "My father also passed away while I was serving a prison sentence. I feel very heavy-hearted." Democratic Party lawmakers Yoon Ho-jung, Lee Kwang-jae, Ki Dong-min, Park Yong-jin, and former lawmaker Lee Kyu-hee also visited the funeral hall.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon also visited the funeral hall in person to offer condolences. National Intelligence Service Director nominee Park Ji-won briefly paid respects for five minutes accompanied by security personnel before leaving the funeral hall.

On the previous day (the 5th) at 11:47 p.m., former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung, who was incarcerated at Gwangju Prison and had been granted a suspension of sentence execution due to his mother's death, was temporarily released. He was dressed in short sleeves and wore a white mask.

Former Governor Ahn, who lost his mother on the 4th, filed an application for suspension of sentence execution the following day, the 5th. On that day, the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office interpreted it as 'other serious reasons' and decided to suspend the execution of the sentence, resulting in his temporary release.

According to the Criminal Procedure Act, the conditions for suspension of sentence execution include seven cases: when the prisoner’s health or life is at risk due to sentence execution; when the prisoner is 70 years or older; when the prisoner is six months pregnant or more; within 60 days after childbirth; when a direct ascendant is seriously ill or disabled and there is no other relative to provide care; when a direct descendant is a minor and there is no other relative to provide care; or when there are other serious reasons.

The suspension period is from the 6th until 5 p.m. on the 9th. According to the Criminal Procedure Act, prosecutors may suspend sentence execution and temporarily release a prisoner when 'other serious reasons' exist.

Meanwhile, former Governor Ahn was tried on charges including sexual assault and molestation against Kim Ji-eun, who worked as his personal secretary, and in September last year, the Supreme Court confirmed a prison sentence of three years and six months.

Ahn’s mother, Guk Jung-rye, passed away on the 4th at the age of 92. The funeral procession is scheduled for 6 a.m. on the 7th, and the burial site is Seoul Municipal Crematorium.